Reviews answers :

urlang : In fact, Izuku managed to exert a very fleeting control over his power to free himself during his previous fight; however, this does not mean that he has achieved perfect control over his power. He has merely, so to speak, opened the small door to mastering his quirk. Izuku will truly begin to get a handle on his power in Chapter 19 and beyond. Thank you for reading, and I hope you will enjoy this chapter.

Dridrius : Indeed, many stories tend to drag on during this narrative arc... for better or worse, more often for the worse. In this fanfiction, the tournament will be covered in three chapters, one for the quarterfinals, semifinals, and one for the finals and the consequences of said finals. I think this is sufficient to address the major themes of the tournament, develop the characters by multiplying the points of view, and thus move the story forward. Enjoy your reading!

Gilgamesh : Thanks you !

Super98 : Thanks you !

N1cok : Not really... Bakugo is violent, that's clear, but he's not foolish enough to get himself kicked out of the tournament because of a meltdown. I use a lot of figures of speech that amplify and exaggerate when his character appears. This will be the case for his fight in this chapter, which is obviously excessive in order to ramp up the tension. So no, he didn't leave Shiozaki for dead, but he did rough her up quite a bit, haha!

X3Runner : Yes, the character of Bakugo is in a very unstable psychological state, exhibiting great violence due to an inferiority complex. He has built up an image of himself, one of greatness, and when he can't achieve it, it's as if he explodes in flight. This is a real psychiatric pathology, known as fragmentation anxiety, meaning the individual fears exploding due to a lack, a relation to the "object." Here, Bakugo's anxiety stems from his pride and overpowering presence playing this role. However, I'm not making a psychological profile of Bakugo; I'm just giving a vision of the character and how I write him. As for Endeavor's mindset, yeah, it's completely messed up. I have a few escape routes: Either Endeavor doesn't give up on Shoto, perhaps out of pride or despair, or he might try to arrange a marriage between Gohan and his daughter—which could be very interesting to write and bring a particularly cynical view of society. Your idea is good and could bring captivating narrative elements to the story, but it remains tense and complex to write and implement given the continuation of the story I have planned. One thing is for sure, the world of Japanese heroism, after witnessing Gohan's power with their own eyes, will try to spy on him or recruit him. Even the government, who knows... So your remark about Endeavor's likely reactions could shed light on all this! That said, I wish you a good read!

Chapter 15 – Battle of Destiny!

From his position in the stands, Gohan had once again observed the brutality of Bakugo, his fists clenched as he struggled against the frustration building within him. All this violence, this rage, which he couldn't understand in Katsuki, deeply disconcerted him. There had to be a reason why he struck down his opponents as if they were mere dogs and he the master holding the chain, in an unhealthy relationship of domination.

Gohan turned and watched Bakugo for a few seconds, scanning his ki, but he could only feel negative waves; his emotions were like locked up and the key unreachable. The young Saiyan then thought that this boy needed help to release his anger, to be able to finally see a serene future, and if the tournament allowed it, then perhaps a confrontation would let them address all these exacerbated feelings.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the quarterfinals to begin! In the most intense edition of recent years, we have another epic match to offer you! Please give a warm round of applause for our two apprentice heroes: The icy Shoto Todoroki, whose frost freezes all opposition! And facing him, a courageous underdog who keeps overcoming and surprising us: Izuku Midoriya!"

The crowd, ecstatic at the prospect of such a battle, shook the foundations of the stadium, jumping, shouting, dancing, and brandishing newly made signs in the likeness of their favorite budding heroes. Although Todoroki was widely favored, whether by the professionals or the audience, a group of die-hard Izuku fans shouted his name with determination.

"So, my friend, who do you see winning this match?"

Aizawa took a small sip of coffee and paused for a short break in all the madness, before finally answering his friend's question. "It's a complex confrontation that could go in multiple directions. Indeed, the audience isn't mistaken, Todoroki has a much better control of his power and very few weaknesses... however, Midoriya has shown during the tournament an ability to adapt to challenges. If he can control his power, even just a part of it, then we might see a very balanced match."

As Hizashi nodded in agreement with his friend, the two students took their places in the ring, facing each other for the first time in a direct confrontation.

Midoriya's Perspective:

Izuku had just come out of a 'conversation' with Endeavor that had chilled his blood and stirred a deep disgust within him. The young man struggled to fully comprehend what Todoroki had endured, but after everything he had shared and the surreal discussion he had just had with his father, this fight took on a whole new meaning.

It was no longer just about proving his worth but also about saving a life from a sea of despair, an abyss of sadness and hatred, saving Shoto from himself, freeing him as much as he could from the harmful influence his father exerted on him.

Shoto was not his father, and Izuku was in no way like his mentor, just as he aspired to become a hero as grand and just as All Might. His rival didn't have to follow the path his father so desperately wanted him to, that road to self-destruction, but he couldn't reject his power, which was his own.

And as Shoto stared into his eyes and Midnight signaled the start, Midoriya banished all negative thoughts from his mind, whether doubts about his power or his anger towards Gohan. Deku had a duty to fulfill.

His opponent unleashed his alter on him, and the entire arena shuddered as crystals of frost chilled the air. The heir to One For All did not hesitate or tremble but simply extended his hand forward, his index and middle finger dazzling with a meaningful light, before his power collided with the wave of ice, immediately shattering it, releasing a gust and carrying the shards of ice like a rain of stars across the battlefield.

The throbbing pain seeped along his shattered fingers, and the young man had to suppress the tears burning in his eyes, for he had no choice but to endure this pain to free Todoroki from his demons.

As suddenly as he had launched his first attack, Shoto returned to the offensive, exerting a new brutal and oppressive force on the arena, forcing Midoriya to sacrifice another finger in his defense.

Gasping, Shoto watched, baffled as his opponent stared back with burning determination, an extraordinary strength emanating from him, an absurd willpower as he faced a series of attacks he could not indefinitely block, and while he was supposed to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of his task, this frail kid stood upright and proud like a pillar against the challenges arrayed against him.

Shoto was as shocked as he was impressed by such determination, and as he launched another volley of ice with his foot, Izuku blocked again. Todoroki felt a sensation all too familiar rising within him: apprehension, as if the canvas of his perfect victory had just suffered a terrible scratch. This time, he exhaled the icy air heavily from his lungs and observed Midoriya, who, despite the pain, stared right back into his eyes.

The crowd went wild, and the deafening noise couldn't mask the cries of anger from Endeavor, his flames blazing brilliantly, distinctly visible among the tens of thousands of spectators…

"Do you think I'm going to admit defeat?! If it's a battle of endurance you want, you're going to get it!"

Exhausted by the repeated effort, Midoriya continued to draw on his strength to fight with his opponent. He grimaced but did not falter, always seeking an opportunity to counterattack as soon as his opponent showed a sign of weakness.

This time, Shoto attacked again from a distance, using an ice wall for support to better manage the recoil of his own assaults. Unfortunately, signs of fatigue were also starting to show on his face. Izuku noticed it as he dove to dodge another wave, his breathing erratic and his muscles torn from the violence of the fight.

"You may have given it your all, but I can see that you're finished," declared the boy with dual-colored hair arrogantly. "I still want to thank you, and also apologize to you, because thanks to our fight, I will finally be able to prove to my worthless father..."

"Stop talking about him! I'm your opponent!" exclaimed Izuku vehemently, irascible anger evident in his eyes as his words cut sharply. Then, surprising Shoto, he extended the index finger of his left hand forward.

The energy released by the impact propelled Shoto against his icy barrier, causing his eyes to widen, a growing terror within him... "Why go so far! You're finished, Midoriya! Look at the state of your fingers!"

Izuku spat bile onto the ground as blood flowed from his broken fingers. He raised his head and his green eyes locked onto the wounded gaze of his opponent. "Why...? There's a physical limit to what your body can endure, Todoroki, and you know it well. In the end, alters are just additional abilities to human bodies, and if they're overused, there are terrible consequences. Listen to me! I'm giving everything I've got, everyone here is pushing their limits to achieve their goals! And you, you refuse to use half of your power even though it could counteract the freezing effect... My broken fingers are not injuries you've inflicted, but rather self-inflicted! So come at me with everything you have, come fight me with all your strength!"

Shoto screamed in rage and raised his arm to attack again, but Midoriya lunged at him before he could react, smashing his bruised forearm right into his solar plexus, sending him sprawling several meters away, face down. Shoto got up, a trickle of blood flowing into his eyes as the anticipation of the spectators grew louder, and Midoriya charged towards him.

Shoto struggled to plant his foot on the ground and summoned ice with all his determination, but Izuku, armed with only one hand, bloodied, dodged his attack, leaving him defenseless. The punishment came swiftly, and he received another punch right in the jaw. Shoto stepped back and observed his rival who was barely standing, trembling as if each attack was his last will.

"Why?" he asked, his tone filled with incomprehension as he wiped the blood from his lower lip.

"To become a worthy hero! To live up to his expectations!" he yelled, thinking of his mentor, who was undoubtedly watching with great hopes. "To surpass him, to prove myself worthy of the trust that has been placed in me!" he continued, thinking of Gohan, the man he must surpass to prove himself worthy of his mentor. "Honestly, I don't know what motivates you, but to think you can become the best without giving everything you have... when Gohan is light-years ahead of us... You're kidding yourself!"

Midoriya charged at him, and again, Shoto was unable to counter, his body completely slowed down after the ice had penetrated to the bones. "My father..."

"Enough! It's your power, not your father's!"

At these words, the blazing flames erupted, each spark a messenger of liberating light, the warm colors of the fire dancing and singing in the air, a symphony of gold and vibrant red conquering the shackled and chained freedom.

His adversary was right; it was time to leave all that hatred behind, to free himself from this burden and finally embrace the future. He did not need his father, nor his acceptance; this power was his own and radiant hope would guide him on the path to heroism.

"I will be a hero!" he declared with a broad smile, a spark of hope dancing in his eyes.

Endeavor shouted with joy in the distance, proclaiming that the long-awaited moment had arrived and that his son was finally accepting his role, but the main actor of his sinister plan ignored him; he was now just a pitiful figure without authority, here in the arena where the true beginning of his story was being written.

"You're really crazy, Midoriya..." he said with a small amused laugh, "in your condition, pushing me to surpass myself like this... I won't be responsible for what happens to you."

Deku smiled and let the One For All flow through his entire body, his imperious instincts obeying instead of his methodical mind. Power flooded his body, and the two rivals faced each other for a final attack.

The heroes and even the audience began to worry about such a display of power and the underlying consequences, but suddenly an energy shield surrounded them. Son Gohan, his heart pounding fiercely, let his energy permeate the entire protective area, so his classmates could release all their emotions without barriers and without endangering the innocent.

Midnight and Cementos, alarmed by the intensity of the battle and by the energy wall, positioned themselves to prevent any problems, but it was too late as the two full-power students collided, their force sending a shattering blast throughout the arena.

In a ballet of elegant brutality, Izuku's fist, like a meteor piercing Shoto's fiery barrier, faced the blazing ferocity of his rival, his powers roaring through the arena, his flames devouring the forearm like a fierce lion breaking the chains of its jailer.

The power of the impacts ended in a final deafening noise, and a thick fog masked the fall of the epic heroes, momentarily hiding the true winner of a confrontation that left all spectators agape. The white energy shield disappeared, and all—from the students observing the battle with envy, the professionals shocked by the display of power, to Inspector Naomasa plus Miruko trembling with excitement, and the mightiest hero, All Might—all were marked by this legendary moment in the history of the UA sports festival.

Regaining her composure and assisted by Cementos, Midnight found Izuku unconscious in the grass, a sign of his certain defeat, while Shoto, miraculously still unable to continue the battle, remained in the arena. Witness to the victory, Midnight then declared a sentence that exploded the stadium in applause: "Shoto Todoroki is the winner!"

In the stands, Gohan finally sat down, stunned by the magnitude of the fight. For the first time since arriving in this world, he had felt the power of the quirks so clearly. Such strength, such determination to become great heroes had left him speechless. Everyone in the stands was speechless, and the students from the neighboring class were silent as well, the spectacle they had all just witnessed together was extraordinary.

"Damn, that was epic!" exclaimed Eijiro, shaking a nonreactive Bakugo, or rather, digesting what he had just seen... he had never imagined Deku to be so powerful, to be such a concrete threat on his path to greatness.

"I can't believe it... Midoriya pushed his opponent beyond his limits and ended up losing..." Yaoyorozu sighed, shaken by the events.

Gohan then spoke up, his voice cheerful. "You're wrong, Midoriya won."

She raised an eyebrow. "Yet the outcome seems pretty clear, unfortunately, he ended up out of bounds. It's more of a draw than anything..."

He shook his head and the whole class watched the interaction. "He transcended in adversity and freed Shoto from a burden we know nothing about. He may be disqualified, his limbs broken and bruised, but he has won a tremendous victory. He is more of a hero than ever for having pushed Todoroki to use his flames, he would have won if he had just enjoyed the benefit... but he showed great courage."

Momo remained silent for a long while, like the others, then nodded. "Yes, from a certain point of view, you're right."

Bakugo, who had been in a stupor until then, seemed to get irritated. "That idiot lost anyway, no matter what you say!"

Before Gohan could respond, the bell rang, indicating it was time for the next two participants to head to their respective waiting rooms. "Come on, Iida, it's time for the match."

"Yes, let's go!"

Together, the two young men descended the flights of stairs leading to the large hallway.

"That was extraordinary, but still, you thought to create a barrier to protect the spectators, Son."

"It was necessary, the heroes would probably have only put up a defensive barrier too late, the audience could have been injured by the shockwave. It was really dangerous, Iida."

"Indeed, another reminder that quirks are not toys and must be kept under strict control."

As they just reached the waiting rooms, Son put his hand on the doorknob and turned to his comrade. "I'm not so sure about that, alters are wonderful and should not be controlled at all times. Look at how Todoroki deprived himself of his quirk, he had his reasons, but he kept a whole part of himself chained."

"I don't know, Son. Really. Whatever Midoriya said to him, it was enough to change the way Todoroki sees the world and his own alter. However, the laws on alters restrictions exist for a good reason. Imagine if such confrontations continuously occurred between heroes and villains..."

Gohan tilted his head, thoughtful, before opening the door. "I'll tell you about my trip to France later. Over there, they've allowed the free use of quirks, and yet, there are far fewer villains and crimes, though the ones that do occur are on a much larger scale."

Iida nodded, interested, before opening the door to his own waiting room. The discussion had temporarily occupied their minds before the match and slightly relaxed Tenya, but a big match was about to begin nonetheless.

Thus, he entered his room and Son did the same, enjoying a few minutes of calm while Cementos repaired the demolished arena. Gohan grabbed an orange juice from the fridge to cool off, gathering his thoughts and focusing on the upcoming fight. His opponent's speed was not to be underestimated, quite the contrary, and he would have to apply himself to win.

Meanwhile, Iida thought about what strategy he could possibly devise to combat the strongest student at UA... he had been thinking about it ever since they had been drawn against each other, but until this very moment, he hadn't come up with a viable plan. Often, it's just before the decisive moment that one finds a solution to the problems.

The bell rang again, signaling to the fighters that it was time to go. Gohan threw his juice carton in the trash and took a deep breath; a place in the semi-finals awaited, and Nejire was watching his match intently.

Gohan and Tenya exchanged a brief look and a tense smile; once on the field, they would face each other as opponents, not friends or classmates. Midnight welcomed them with a big smile.

"Ah, two magnificent young men!"

"Here we are! The second quarterfinal after a memorable match. We have Son Gohan, the big favorite among bettors, and his classmate Tenya Iida with exceptional speed. Any words, Professor Aizawa?"

"Do you have to ask me my opinion before every match?" he sighed, dismayed, then, faced with the silence of his friend and the crowd, he forced himself to answer. "Honestly, Son is the most powerful student the school has seen in a very long time, but that doesn't mean he can't lose. If he becomes complacent, failure will strike him as swiftly as success, and Iida, being a very rational young man, will seize every opportunity to win. Although it is a very difficult matchup, Iida could still win."

"Well, thank you Professor Aizawa for your suuuperb analysis!"

Gohan rubbed the back of his neck after hearing his tutor's comment; he was entirely right and he did not intend to let any complacency ruin both his chances of winning and disrespecting his opponent.

"Are you ready?" asked Midnight, ready to start the match.

"Yes!" declared the two participants.

Gohan got into position, firmly planting his feet on the ground, his left arm retracted and his right arm forward, allowing him to react to any direct threat. Iida, for his part, was buzzing with impatience and hopping as he awaited the official start of the match.

"Begin!" exclaimed the lady of Mineta's unmentionable dreams.

Growling, roaring, resonating, the engine announced its awakening, each vibration a declaration of its indomitable strength, a sonic storm drumming in an ocean of silence. Faster! Always faster, Iida sliced through the air, each second becoming a tighter embrace with the intoxication of speed, and in the midst of this deafening noise, Iida's focus on his sole and unique goal seemed to bend the arena under the weight of his deadly acceleration.

"Recipro Burst!" he yelled as he rushed at full speed towards Son Gohan. The young half-breed jumped back, but Iida continued his demonic ride, the sound of his feet breaking the arena's tiles, cracking the ground.

Gohan knew he had to act directly, as at the level of power he was maintaining, a direct impact could prove risky for both him and his opponent. He had to slow him down now or never!

With a war cry, his fist came down with unwavering force, his fist becoming the hammer of his will, shaking the ground beneath him. With this strike, he forged a direct barrier, a wall of stone against the speed demon Tenya had become, but in a furious burst, the supersonic pilot danced across the arena, turning with grandiose agility to avoid the obstacle, leaving the saiyan defenseless at his back.

Realizing what his opponent intended to do, Gohan felt panic rising quickly and he could not allow him to succeed. He turned directly to face Iida, who was now only three meters away, and Goku's son then positioned his arms to close the distance between him and Tenya.

Alas, his opponent exceeded Gohan's expectations and performed a controlled drift by lying down to bypass him, surpassing the last line.

"No!" he exclaimed as Tenya's two hands rushed directly towards his monkey tail, his only weak point. In a panic, he detached his tail and whipped it directly at Iida's wrists, but the desperate gesture only gained him a few moments, as the rush of speed could not extinguish without one last burst.

Now falling, Iida landed on his hands, performing a somersault to land back on his feet. Quickly! He thought, he only had a few seconds left to take advantage of his full power! He fueled his fiery engines with all his remaining strength and launched forward once more towards a struggling Gohan, his own monkey tail seeming to fight against his will.

"Damn it!" exclaimed the half-blood saiyan, jumping into the air, propelling a sphere of ki directly against the arena floor, blowing it up on the spot and forcing Iida to protect himself from the flying debris around him. Seizing this opportunity, Gohan dove towards the ground and performed a powerful tackle, producing a striking plume of dust, throwing Iida and Son to the ground with a fulminating force.

"That was really well played, Iida! You almost had me!"

Iida smiled, now knowing that his defeat was inevitable, his engines would inevitably stall right after the recipro burst... "As a diligent student, I've watched the replays of our training exercises, and during the exercise with Togata, I noticed that grabbing your tail put you in great difficulty."

Gohan stood up and nodded, impressed, as his monkey tail resumed its form of a belt, finally deciding to obey his will. "You're extraordinary, Iida, truly. Come on, get up, you still have things to show, right?"

Iida gave a sad smile before responding. "Alas, I'm afraid not, my engines can no longer sustain the same effort... I concede!"

Midnight took the young man's decision into account and raised her referee's flag. "I declare Son Gohan the winner of the fight." The crowd rose with joy, jumping and dancing while waving signs featuring Gohan. Meanwhile, Cementos slowly walked towards the arena, utterly dismayed at the thought of having to rebuild it yet again in the same day.

Son extended his hand to his friend and helped him up, but it was not hard to notice the difficulty with which Tenya was walking. To be honest, he was limping, so Gohan, in a gesture of fair play, put his arm around his shoulder to support him to the infirmary.

"So, you're going to face Todoroki in the semis... that should be an interesting match to watch."

"It's clear that he's a tough opponent, I think he's the second strongest in the tournament, if I'm not mistaken in the ranking."

"Oh, and who's the first?"

Gohan offered an embarrassed smile. "If Todoroki gives his all every time, then he would be first, but as it stands, it's Bakugo. He doesn't hesitate and fights at full power, even if his personality is terrible, he at least has that going for him."

"I see," said Tenya as he retrieved his glasses from the waiting room. "I think we can go back up in a few minutes, I just need my engines to cool down a bit. Honestly, I think I exceeded my limits, I couldn't have used it a third time today, so in a way, it's fortunate that the tournament is ending. I just hope my brother is proud of me."

As they climbed the stairs, Gohan chuckled. "Without a doubt, Iida, he is proud of your performance. You've really shown the pros that you have what it takes, and I'm sure your brother thinks the same."

"Thank you, Son, you're a good friend."

The duo returned to the seats reserved for Class 1-A, and Tenya was greeted with a round of applause, only Ochaco, Eijiro, and Bakugo made no noise. The first two because they weren't there, and the last because he was seething internally, likely another meltdown.

The class congratulated and asked Tenya questions about his strategy, while Gohan quietly sat down in his seat. Ingenium's brother happily answered the questions, and despite a legitimate disappointment about his elimination from the tournament, he was quite happy with his performance.

Then suddenly, his phone rang, and his friend's face fell, which worried Gohan. "It's my mother, she never usually calls me. Excuse me, everyone, I'm going to talk to her in private."

These were the last words Tenya said to the class for the next few days before he hurriedly left. Of all those present, none could imagine the terrible consequences of that call on Iida's life and his family, and all continued to watch the rest of the tournament with joy.

When Uraraka and Eijiro stepped onto the ring, the crowd got excited and hummed in agreement, and the match could begin under good conditions. The match was not particularly long, like the previous one, but was intense in its style.

Eijiro declared that hitting a woman wasn't manly, indeed, but that it would be disrespectful to Uraraka not to face her with all he had. He thus prepared to receive Uraraka's strikes and counter-attack in his typical straightforward style, but unfortunately, he seemed to forget that his opponent needed only one touch to secure victory.

Ochaco moved forward and tried to hit her opponent with her iron will, and it didn't take long before she secured a stable hold on the warrior of unwavering determination but decidedly absent-minded, where he inevitably ended up.

Gravity Girl simply made him fly out of the arena and then dropped him directly out of the competition area, thus preventing him from advancing to the next round. Eijiro, needless to say, was indeed inconsolable after his embarrassing defeat, not because of the level of his opponent, but because of his own overconfidence and lack of forethought, which, he hoped, would serve as a lesson for the next festival.

Fumikage, while Aizawa and Present Mic were commenting on the match, came to see Son Gohan. He seemed thoughtful, more lost in thought than usual. "Son, could you spare a few moments to solve the problem of discordant darkness?"

Gohan raised an eyebrow and stood up from his seat. "Uh, okay, I guess it's better if not everyone hears this, is it about your match?"

"Indeed, warrior of light, your insight might illuminate a problem I'm facing. I come to you because you already know the flaw of my quirk, the inability of Dark Shadow to fight against light."

Dark Shadow, visibly offended by such an insult, couldn't resist retorting, "How dare you? It's the light that is afraid of me, not the other way around!"

"Oh… sorry, companion of the shadows…" Murmured Fumikage to his shadow, leaving Gohan completely bewildered by such a display.

"I see the problem," Gohan began, scratching his neck. "You think Bakugo's explosions force Dark Shadow to recoil, leaving you defenseless, right?"

"Exactly, I prefer to seek your assistance after careful consideration. What could I do to protect myself from his assaults?"

Gohan paused to think. "Tell me, does the rule prohibit the use of equipment, doesn't it?"

"It appears so, I think only glasses are allowed, although Iida chose to do without them. Why do you ask?"

"Well, I was wondering if sunglasses might protect both of you against the explosions. I don't think it would be refused but I'm not sure if it's dishonest or not. Otherwise, you could try to surprise Bakugo by attacking from behind, but that's going to be difficult if he blinds you."

"I understand and thank you for your time, Son, your advice is valuable but I fear I cannot apply it in this combat. However, I could add sunglasses as support equipment once I return to school. I will prepare for my fight, farewell."

Fumikage POV :

From the depths of the stadium, where dark corridors whispered secrets never revealed, Fumikage advanced, his ghostly shadow gliding through the darkness. Faulty lights cast flickering glows along his path, as if to underline the drama of his solitary life.

The night and darkness were his domain, a pure realm of silence where each step echoed like a drumbeat in the concert of the gloom. His eyes, accustomed to the dark, pierced the shadows, hunting the invisible dreams that lined this cursed and corrupted stadium. These corridors bore whispers of danger, tales of distant battles, and echoes of immeasurable powers. The warrior of darkness, master of shadow and poetries, knew that each step led him to the prelude of an absolute storm.

His destination: a small room abandoned by the gods, a relic of an era of resolved light, telling stories of despair from defeated fighters and their absurd lamentations. There, in the bowels of this concrete carcass, lay his waiting room, a convergence point for the night warrior, a sanctuary for those who danced with danger.

Crossing the threshold, Fumikage felt the heavy atmosphere, charged with electricity and light, which he swiftly extinguished silently. He now waited, like a feline predator in the night, ready to face his destiny in the arena of chaos. Seated in the darkness of the waiting room, Fumikage let his thoughts wander towards his next opponent, Bakugo - the man of explosions - a fearsome figure known for his ability to unleash destructive blasts, he was the very embodiment of uncontrollable chaos. Fumikage felt a mix of respect and caution, facing such an adversary required more than brute strength; it demanded strategy, a mind game as dangerous as the fight itself.

Suddenly, the bell rang, its metallic echo piercing the heavy air of the waiting room. It was the signal. Without a word, he rose, his entire body tense as a bow ready to release its arrow. Each step towards the arena, a pact with danger, a commitment to a deadly ballet of struggle.

The brightly lit door of the arena dazzled his retina, revealing a world where he knew that only strength dictated the rules—a place where each fight was a poem written in the language of violence. With a final breath of death, Fumikage crossed the threshold, ready to face the storm of fire and fury that awaited him.

In the arena of chaos, the crowd was a tumultuous sea of excitement and anticipation. The shouts and exclamations formed a sonic hurricane, each spectator hungry for action and spectacle. It was an amphitheater of raw passion, where every heartbeat resonated with the primal desire to witness the clash of two titans. At the center of this human storm, the announcer, a captivating figure with a magnetic presence, took the stage. Her smooth and enchanting voice seemed to caress the senses of the audience. The dark fighter couldn't help but see her as a succubus, a creature of seduction, weaving her demonic magic over the boiling crowd. With an enchanting smile, she announced the start of the fight, and the arena exploded into a roar of approval.

As soon as the match began, Bakugo sprang into action, these terrible words in his mouth: "Die, pathetic insect!" Like a maestro of destruction, he unleashed a series of dazzling explosions, each a symphony of lighting fire and deafening noise. Fumikage was caught in a hurricane of fire, the blasts illuminating his face in a ballet of light and shadow, while Dark Shadow, his faithful companion of the dark, struggled to use his unspeakable techniques.

Each explosion was a test, a challenge to his resilience and agility. He moved with desperate grace, narrowly avoiding ignition. The air pressure, charged with power and heat, weighed on him, a suffocating blanket of danger and dismay.

Despite the grit of the combat, Fumikage remained determined, unbowed. He felt the ambient tension, a vibrating string ready to snap, yet he held firm. Each breath was a gulp of fire, each movement a challenge to death itself.

The crowd was in a frenzy, each explosion a whip-crack to their thirst for spectacle; they were witnesses to an epic struggle, a duel where lives and honors were gambled. In Fumikage's eyes shone the sacred flame of his determination, ready to face the storm of fire with the strength of Dark Shadow...

The battle between Fumikage and Bakugo transformed into a deadly dance of light and shadow. Every movement of the shadow was an echo of the night, rapid and elusive, while each assault from Katsuki was a dazzling cascade of destructive light.

With spectral agility, Fumikage dodged the explosions, slipping through the cracks of light like a stealthy shadow. His counterattacks were precise, each strike delivered with surgical accuracy, hitting his adversary with surprising damage. The arena of chaos reverberated with their clash, this enveloping shock extending even to their thoughts.

Yet, despite his resilience and skill, the warrior of darkness battled against mounting pain. Each explosion that grazed him left a mark of agony and pushed Dark into its reserves; the proximity to defeat burned with a thousand candles. He felt his strength waning, but his spirit remained steered by his iron will.

Then, in a critical moment, Bakugo shattered his inhibitions. He unleashed a torrent of power, a series of explosions so intense and swift that the air itself seemed to ignite. Each detonation was louder than the last, a crescendo of destruction. The dark warrior, despite his dexterity, could not simply evade; he was overwhelmed, besieged by the light.

"You are nothing against my desire to eliminate Gohan... Nothing but a miserable cockroach!" he swore, his eyes red with bloody hatred.

The crowd screamed, galvanized by the spectacle. Bakugo, transcended, seemed invincible, his explosions becoming increasingly wild and unpredictable. Fumikage, now on the defensive, retreated, marked by the battle, his body and mind pushed to their limits, the cries of Dark echoing the reflection of his soul.

Bakugo seemed ready to claim victory, unshackled, master of the arena of chaos. Bakugo prepared to unleash his signature attack, a maneuver as dreaded as it was awaited. Concentrating all his energy, he raised his arms, and a precarious silence fell over the crowd, all holding their breath in anticipation. Suddenly, with a cry of defiance, he released his power in a deluge of light and sound. Chain explosions erupted, each more powerful than the last, transforming the arena into a whirlwind of fire and fury. The spectators were in a trance, screaming with joy, their eyes wide at the display of raw power. The force of the final explosion shook the foundations of the arena of chaos, a true cataclysm created by one man...

Facing this overwhelming display of force, Fumikage knew his elimination was near. Despite the pain and exhaustion, he stood up, gathering his last strength for a final stand. With a swift motion, he launched into a series of desperate attacks, each blow delivered with the entirety of his being. He became a storm of shadow, a whirlwind of strikes and fluid movements that Bakugo feared for a few moments, but his attacks waned... and no longer had an effect against Katsuki's resilience.

In these final moments, the dark warrior fought not to conquer, but for honor, to prove that even in the face of the inevitable, he would not falter.

As Bakugo prepared the finishing blow, Fumikage turned his gaze towards the stands. There, among the pale faces of the crowd, he locked eyes with Gohan, another warrior who had earned his respect many times over in such a short period... In this silent exchange, a message was conveyed, a request, a call to honor him on the battlefield. Fumikage's eyes burned with unwavering determination, a final gesture of defiance. His fall would not be in vain, but the spark of a new resistance.

Then one last explosion echoed...

To be continued…

A/N :

Hello everyone! New Thursday, new chapter!

So, what can I say about this one? First, it's shorter, and for a reason—I wrote it after a break of several years, making it a comeback chapter, which might explain the different tone or style. I've experimented with other narrative styles and literary genres; I've particularly been working on a novel, which is still in progress. You should know that I resumed writing this fanfic to test other styles just as much as to please loyal readers eager to revisit this story. This may therefore influence this chapter, the most striking example being the end of the chapter from Fumikage's point of view: written in a noir novel style that I rarely use, with a lot of dramatization and stylistic exaggeration.

I hope you enjoyed this little escapade, it was a test, and normally there will be no more passages from Fumikage's point of view. However, expect to see more points of view from Bakugo and Midoriya in the story, especially actually for Izuku. Thank you for reading and I hope many of you will comment and read the next chapter, which will be released on May 9th! See you next time!

Regards,

Majin Gaetan23