Stepping onto the field, Ibara couldn't help but be anxious, as was Momo. She knew her opponent was one of the two best fighters in this tournament. Victory was therefore far from assured.

On the contrary, coming after her, Galadriel arrived while she was holding a cream puff in her hand. One hand in her pocket, she walked casually, eating her pastry.

"Your way of acting is very conceited." Ibara asserted, both frustrated and afraid of her opponent's composure.

"I don't underestimate you." Galadriel assured, finishing her cake. "It's just that I need to eat to restore my power."

Standing still, Ibara glanced briefly at the sky and saw a beautiful cloudless sky, which allowed the sun to be seen by anyone. Sunbeams were perfect for improving the speed and power of Ibara's attacks. She could therefore use the climate to gain an advantage.

Rubbing her hands together, Galadriel hopped in place, so she could warm up a bit. However, her mind was far from dwelling on her opponent.

" After this girl, my next match will see me face Todoroki! And then... Mugiwara. "

Seeing her smile in excitement, Midnight raised her arm, before announcing the start of the fight.

"Begin."

Immediately, several vines of Ibara charged towards Galadriel. Attempting to take Galadriel by surprise, Ibara groaned, seeing her vines hitting a magic shield without giving her the slightest scratch.

Still with her hands in her pockets, Galadriel smiled confidently as she did nothing in an attempt to counterattack.

Seeing this, Ibara doubled the number of her vines and made them deflect the shield, to attack Galadriel from behind. However, a dome of protection appeared around Galadriel, blocking all of Ibara's attacks.

Attacking again and again, Ibara saw her attacks being completely ineffective, while Galadriel's dome seemed unbreakable. Waiting a few seconds, the Empress then raised her finger and pointed it at Ibara.

Getting ready to attack her, Galadriel was almost surprised to hear and see the ground crack under her feet. Then, rising from the ground, vines managed to wrap themselves around Galadriel's legs.

Feeling her feet leave the ground and turning her head down, Galadriel made her dome disappear. Having caused a diversion with her attacks, Ibara had discreetly let several of her vines pierce the ground and end up under her opponent's protective shield. And now Galadriel had become her prey.

Beginning to pray, Ibara let her other vines bind themselves around Galadriel, to keep her from fleeing.

"It's over." Ibara assured. "God is on my side! CRUCIFIXION!"

Then, rising higher into the air, Ibara's vines eventually raced back down to the ground, to knock Galadriel against the ground. Unfortunately, upon impact, the Empress vanished, much to Ibara's surprise.

" What ? "

Suddenly, a finger touched the back of her neck.

"Gotcha." Galadriel affirmed, with a mocking smile.

Jumping in fear, Ibara turned immediately, and directed his vines towards Galadriel. But again, the Empress had disappeared.

" Comment ? "

"Even if you manage to tie me up, it can't stop me from teleporting." Galadriel assured her, again behind her.

Turning again, to attack him, Ibara let her vines rush towards Galadriel, as well as all the rest of the land, to prevent her from fleeing.

" VIA DOLOROSA ! "

However, as several vines were about to touch her, Galadriel conjured a magic circle below her and this created a force field, which stopped the vines before her dead in their tracks.

"What...?" Ibara wondered.

Immediately, feeling her whole body shaking, she had the misfortune to look at Galadriel. Trembling in fear, staring into her eyes, Ibara no longer felt any hope of winning against her.

And to finish her off, Galadriel disappeared again, before appearing in front of her. Putting her finger on Ibara's forehead, the Empress affirmed.

" End game. "

Then, feeling an electric shock, Ibara lost consciousness and collapsed to the ground. Seeing this, Midnight approached the pair, before looking at Ibara's condition. Noting that she was indeed passed out, she raised her arm.

"I declare Nazarick-san the winner."

Again, the Empress went away quietly, while hearing a crowd cheering her.

" That's amazing. " Present Mic affirmed. " She wins, time and time again! And she seems to show no weakness! Can anyone really stop this person who managed to reach the semi-finals, without receiving the slightest injury? "

For his part, Zoro stared at the departing Empress, while having a bad feeling.

" Zoro ? " Chopper wondered, looking scared.

Coming out of his trance, the swordsman noticed that he had just taken out one of his sabers, without realizing it.

"What's up with you?" Nami asked, thinking he had spotted an enemy.

"Nothing." The swordsman said simply. "I thought I felt something but... I must have been wrong."

Nevertheless, he looked back at Galadriel, while her simple negative aura that she had used against Ibara had been enough to put Zoro on his guard.

"Luffy...beware of her."

"Nazarick..." Todoroki muttered, noting that his opponent for the next match had just been decided.

Having no surprise, the boy looked at one of his hands and covered it with ice. Then, looking at his second hand, he hesitated whether or not to use his second power.

" Against Midoriya, my ice wasn't enough! So can I win against Nazarick without my flames? "

" We call the opponents of the third fight! Bakugo Vs Usopp! "

Waiting a few seconds, the crowd spotted the duo walking towards the field at the same time. Staring at Usopp and remembering all the humiliations he had suffered because of him and Luffy, the blond already let the veins of rage appear on his forehead. Then, opening one of his hands, he created an explosion in his palm, which startled Usopp.

" This kid...does he want to win this tournament or kill me? "

Nevertheless, tightening his grip on his kabuto, he kept his composure, before stepping onto the arena.

" Remember! There are only two places left for the semi-finals! If you want a chance to get one of his places, do not hesitate to defeat your opponent! Be careful ... start. "

Immediately, Bakugo created explosions. Thinking the boy was going to throw them at him, Usopp prepared to create a bamboo forest to block the attack.

However, not wanting to make the same mistake as Kirishima, attacking mindlessly, Bakugo used his blasts as thrusters. Rising high into the sky to safety, the boy concentrated all his power in his hands, before creating an extraordinary explosion behind him.

The force of the explosion threw him at full speed towards Usopp, so fast that the man barely had time to react.

"IMPACT WOLF ! "

Seeing nonetheless, Usopp having time to fire, Bakugo created a small explosion that threw him to his left. being now out of its path, the boy saw the projectile pass by him, before ending up in front of Usopp.

"WHAT...?" The pirate wondered.

"DIE!" Bakugo shouted, punching him.

Nonetheless, smiling, Usopp retorted.

" I lied. "

Then, raising his hand, he positioned it in front of his face and used his impact dial to block the boy's attack. Yet, to his surprise, the blond simply hit the dial, without using any explosions.

"Do you seriously think I was going to get trapped by your shell again?" the boy growled.

Refusing to be humiliated again, the boy envisioned Usopp using his dial again to absorb the power of his explosion and use it to counterattack.

So, now that Usopp had his hand outstretched towards the boy, to stop his false offensive, the blond knew he was unable to use his slingshot to launch any projectiles.

As a result, clutching Usopp's hand to prevent him from fleeing, Bakugo clenched his second fist, before aiming it at Usopp's face. Unable to flee, the pirate cried out in pain, before disappearing inside with a powerful explosion.

" HOWITZER IMPACT ! "

" USOPP !" Shouted Chopper.

"That idiot." Sanji growled. "He got screwed like a rookie."

Flying out of the explosion, Usopp's body landed on the ground, as burns had appeared on his body. Groaning in pain, he tried to get up. But already, Bakugo projected himself towards him.

"AHHHHHHHH!" He cried, rushing towards him.

Again, Usopp tried to aim at him with his kuro kabuto. However, predicting this, Baguko suddenly clapped her hands together, and produced an explosion, which sounded like a flash.

Startled, Usopp grimaced, his eyes unshielded by his scopes.

" MY EYES ! "

Then, he spat out some slime, feeling Bakugo's fist hit his abdomen, before creating another explosion.

Flying back, Usopp crashed to the ground again. However, not having finished with him, Bakugo projected himself into the air again, before dropping down towards his opponent.

Dashing like a torpedo, he aimed his two feet at Usopp's back and crashed into him mercilessly.

"ARRRRRRGGGHHHHHH!" Usopp yelled.

"It's over !" Bakugo roared, closing one of his hands, before aiming his fist at the back of Usopp's neck.

" FLASH DIAL ! "

Changing his impact dial with a flash dial, Usopp suddenly positioned his hand behind his head and let the object dazzle his opponent, who roared in pain. Now being the one whose eyes were burning, he took a step back, and Usopp took the opportunity to push him away and get back to his feet.

" FIRE BIRD STAR ! "

Taking only a moment to aim at Bakugo, Usopp launched his projectile at him. Yet even blinded, Bakugo swings his fist towards impact, before creating an explosion.

"HOWITZER IMPACT ! "

Hitting Usopp's firebird, the blast headed towards the pirate, who had to jump to the side to avoid being hit again. Rolling on the floor, Usopp slowly sat up, catching his breath. Then running his forearm over his face, he noticed that he was bleeding.

In front of him, still intact, Bakugo had regained his sight, while he created more explosions in his hands.

" The match has only just started and there's no denying that Bakugo is mastering this fight! He attacks with so much power and relentlessness that Pipo barely has time to react! It's like facing a wild beast. "

Finding that he overestimated the dangerousness of Usopp, Bakugop declared.

"Finally, you pirates are less strong than I thought."

In response, Usopp threw another projectile at him. However, instead of hitting the boy, the projectile disappeared upon hitting the ground. Knowing full well that giant plants were going to appear at any moment, Bakugo jumped back, before getting into a fighting position.

However, nothing came out of the ground.

" That ... ? "

" ATLAS COMET ! "

Aiming this time, the sky, Usopp fired a projectile which, at a certain height, exploded to separate into four projectiles. Descending back towards Bakugo, the four projectiles seemed to be aimed at him and were destined to explode, upon hitting him.

"TSSSS! Stop the bullshit." Bakugo roared, pointing his hand skyward and creating another explosion.

Again, Bakugo's attack crushed Usopp's. Unfortunately, like in his last fight, the boy began to feel tremors in his arms. His limit was beginning to be reached.

" SMOKE STAR ! "

This time, Usopp's projectile hit the ground in front of Bakugo's foot before creating a cloud of smoke that surrounded the boy. Knowing full well that Usopp was trying to blind him to attack him by surprise, Bakugo stretched his arms out to the side and created two new explosions.

The shockwaves created by his double attack produced winds that blew the smoke away. Nevertheless, Bakugo froze, as he saw hundreds of metallic thistles spread on the ground, all around him.

" What ? "

" TABASCO STAR ! "

Hitting Bakugo's mouth, Usopp's new projectile managed to pass between the boy's lips, before ending up in his throat.

"Keep your mouth shut." Usopp advised him, with a mischievous grin.

In response, Bakugo spat out flames as he felt the effects of the tabasco. Yet seconds later, roaring with rage, he slammed his fist on the ground, and created an explosion so powerful it pulverized part of the arena and threw the thistles away from him.

Thus, he was free to move again.

being watching the fight with the others, Mineta affirmed.

"Bakugo totally dominates the fight."

"Do you think so?" Shoji questioned him.

Frowning, Momo said.

"I feel like... Usopp is taking the lead.

having returned among them, Galadriel watched the fight in silence, before glancing briefly at Luffy. Eating a packet of crisps, the pirate watched the fight hesitantly, not feeling the slightest panic towards his friend. He seemed to be perfectly certain of his companion's victory.

Staring at Usopp, Bakugo took in deep breaths, as he seemed to be starting to wear himself out. Even though he only had his throat hurting from the tabasco, while Usopp was injured, the blond looked at a disadvantage.

"Need a break?" asked Usopp.

" Tssss! Don't take me for a weakling. " Bakugo roared. "You're a Qurikless! There's no way I could lose to you! Weak ones like you...you don't even deserve to be in this kind of tournament."

Listening to him, Usopp suddenly froze, and Bakugo took the opportunity to run towards him.

"I am the strongest! I am the only one destined to surpass All Might! I am..."

However, he found himself completely immobilized, as vines suddenly came out of the ground and wrapped around his legs, before binding him.

" What hell is that ...? "

Thinking immediately of Usopp's projectile, which had hit the ground, without producing anything, the blond cursed the fact of having lowered his guard.

"ASSHOLE!" He roared, trying to free himself.

" GREEN STAR : HUMANDRAKE ! "

A projectile hit the immobilized boy and strange green plants, resembling starfish stuck against the boy's body. Unable to remove them, the boy felt them perform hickeys, which drained some of his energy.

" What is that ? "

"I'm weak." Usopp agreed. "I'm the weakest of my crew! But..."

Staring at Bakugo, he assured.

"There's no way I'm going to shame my captain by getting beat up by a brat like you."

Continuing to feel his energy being absorbed, Bakugo roared in rage. Yet, while his arms were tied up due to the vines, the boy opened his hand and created nitroglycerin. Then, he kicked his own leg and created an explosion.

Catching fire, part of the vines disappeared because of the explosion. Freeing one of his arms, Bakugo then punched his chest and the explosion he created pulverized Usopp's parasitic plants.

being himself affected by his own attacks, the boy groaned in pain and, as the smoke cleared, he stared at Usopp, while burn marks were visible on him.

"I Won't Lose..."

He again used his outbursts as spotlights and charged at Usopp without any strategy, simply being controlled by his anger.

"Not against a no-quirk! HOWITZER ..."

Suddenly, the smell of gas was heard, and looking down, he saw another dial on the floor, which was emitting what looked like gas.

" GAS DIAL !" Usopp affirmed.

Throwing it away when Bakugo hit the ground, to throw off the thistles, Usopp simply used his plants to immobilize Baguko while the gas spread across the field. And now that the boy was on top of the shell and he was producing explosions in his hands, Bakugo could only widen his eyes as his power ignited the gas.

The explosion that took place created a shock wave that spread throughout the stands. Still sitting in their seats, Aizawa and Present Mic prayed that nothing bad had happened to Bakugo.

Eventually, when the smoke cleared, everyone could see Usopp standing there, while Bakugo's burnt body lay on the ground. Groaning in pain, the blond seemed unable to move, a sign that the winner was decided. Seeing this, Usopp looked at him for a short moment before walking away.

At the same time, Midnight raised her arm, before affirming.

"The winner is Pi..."

Nevertheless, she was silent. Getting ready to leave the field, Usopp felt a presence behind him and turned around, to see Bakugo, standing again. Feeling his legs shaking, the high school student looked like he was on the verge of collapsing. Still, fighting fatigue and anger, he gritted his teeth, brandishing his fists.

"It...It's not over."

Staring at Usopp, he assured.

"You're a powerless weakling! And powerless weaklings can't win."

Trying to take a step forward, Bakugo fell to his knees, unable to stand.

"I'm the best! I'm the best."

Seeing him do this, Usopp remained motionless for a few moments, before finally putting away his slingshot, deeming it useless to have to use it again.

"The most pitiful people are the weak-minded! These are the people who refuse to fight, thinking that victory will never be theirs! It's true that I have no power... but I don't see how that should make me weaker than you."

"Grrrr! Only those with overpowered Quirks can become heroes." Bakugo retorted.

Forcing himself to get up again, he strained his legs so much that the pain of his gesture suddenly brought tears to his eyes, which mixed with his frustration.

"If I lose to someone like you...I could never become a hero."

Looking at him, surprised, Usopp questioned him.

"Because you honestly think winning against me will make you look stronger and make people think you're overpowered."

Seeing Baguko still trying to get up, Usopp finally makes a decision. at that moment, he raised a hand in the air, before declaring.

" I'm giving up. "

Immediately, a long silence fell on the field, while everyone thought they had misunderstood.

"W...What...?" Present Mic shouted. "What did I just hear?"

"Are you giving up?" Midnight wondered.

In response, Usopp left the field, sealing his abandonment. However, before leaving, the boy heard a roar.

"ASSHOLE! You pity me, dumbass?"

Crawling on the ground, trying to catch up to Usopp, Bakugo roared.

"I don't need your pity to win! Come back here! And fight me."

"I've already won." Usopp retorted, not bothering to look at him. "But as I see it, a simple defeat will not allow you to understand that you have no idea how to act like a hero! Heroes are not always the strongest! Good cannot always triumph over evil! And that's why people have to learn to lose or win to get stronger! If you don't admit defeat, then you'll never get stronger."

Thinking back to his many defeats, which had made him, without him realizing it, more powerful, Usopp walked away, while declaring.

"Luffy will be teaching the difference between you and him."

Still not believing what he had just heard, Present Mic was not going to miss this opportunity to eliminate one of the false participants of this tournament, before declaring.

"As you have just heard, Usopp has just forfeited! Therefore, the winner of this incredible fight is...BAKUGO."

Nevertheless, sounds of anger were heard from the public.

"Hey! Why did he give up?"

"Yeah! I wanted to see Usopp face Lucy in the semi-finals."

"Pipo won."

Thus, Usopp left the arena and disappeared down the hall. he barely hid from everyone's view when he leaned against a wall, before dropping to the ground. Thinking back to what he had just done, the sniper knew that a single extra shot would have been enough to defeat Bakugo and allow him to find himself among the last four participants. However, he had remembered something.

"It's not our world."

Knowing full well that the sudden appearance of the Mugiwaras in this world filled with heroes would have serious repercussions, Usopp had preferred to act in a way to help a person who needed it, rather than to defeat him.

Bakugo needed to understand that heroes weren't necessarily the most powerful people and that his arrogance made him weaker than he thought.

And, after this victory, which Bakugo considered a real humiliation, Usopp hoped that his fight against Luffy will make him realize his many shortcomings and stop underestimating everyone he meets.