Chapter 20: U.A. Sports Festival – Part 4

The roar of the crowd echoed throughout the massive stadium as the audience eagerly awaited the next stage of the U.A. Sports Festival. The air buzzed with excitement and anticipation. After the intense Cavalry Battle and a well-earned lunch break, the stakes had been raised.

Midnight's voice boomed across the arena, commanding everyone's attention.

Midnight: "Now that we've seen the teamwork these students are capable of, it's time to test their individual strength! Only sixteen have made it this far, and now they'll face off in one-on-one combat!"

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Cloud leaned back in his seat, expression impassive. His piercing blue eyes, however, were locked onto one person: Katsuki Bakugou.

He didn't care about the others. Not right now.

Bakugou was the only one who mattered.

First Match: Katsuki Bakugou vs. Fumikage Tokoyami

Present Mic: "Alright, folks! First up, we've got the explosive hothead, Katsuki Bakugou, versus the dark and brooding Fumikage Tokoyami!"

Aizawa watched from the sidelines, his expression unreadable.

Cloud's gaze sharpened as the two students stepped onto the battlefield.

Tokoyami stood calmly, his cloak rippling slightly in the breeze.

Bakugou, in contrast, cracked his knuckles, sparks flickering from his palms.

Midnight: "BEGIN!"

The arena erupted into action.

Tokoyami wasted no time, calling forth Dark Shadow, the inky figure surging forward like a beast unleashed.

Dark Shadow: "RRRAAAAGH!"

It lunged at Bakugou with terrifying speed.

But Bakugou didn't flinch.

BOOM!

A powerful explosion erupted from his palm, the force scattering Dark Shadow momentarily. Bakugou shot into the air with another blast, avoiding the shadowy strike.

Cloud watched intently.

"Good. He's not underestimating him."

Tokoyami didn't relent.

"Dark Shadow, attack from his blind spots!"

Dark Shadow hissed, splitting into rapid, unpredictable movements, snapping at Bakugou from all angles.

Bakugou grinned.

"Not fast enough!"

He blasted himself across the stage, zigzagging mid-air, weaving through Dark Shadow's strikes. He hurled small, controlled explosions, pushing Dark Shadow back.

Cloud's eyes narrowed.

"Controlled aggression. He's not wasting energy."

Bakugou suddenly dove straight at Tokoyami.

"Your bird's tough, but you're not!"

A massive explosion detonated near Tokoyami's feet, forcing him to stagger.

"Dark Shadow, defend!"

But Bakugou was already inside his guard.

A point-blank BOOM rocked the stage.

Tokoyami was thrown backward, skidding across the arena floor.

Midnight: "Fumikage Tokoyami is out of bounds! Katsuki Bakugou wins!"

The audience erupted in cheers.

Bakugou stood at the center of the arena, breathing heavily, a satisfied grin on his face.

Cloud smirked slightly.

"Efficient."

Ryuko leaned over.

"Guess your guy's not all bark after all."

Cloud didn't respond.

He was already thinking ahead.

Second Match: Katsuki Bakugou vs. Eijiro Kirishima

Bakugou barely had time to rest before the next round.

His next opponent was none other than Eijiro Kirishima, his own Cavalry Battle teammate.

The hardening quirk user grinned widely, slamming his fists together.

"Let's have a good fight, Bakugou! No holding back!"

Bakugou scoffed, rolling his shoulders.

"Tch. Like I was planning to."

Midnight: "BEGIN!"

Kirishima didn't wait.

"Hardening!"

His skin turned to jagged stone, muscles bulging as he charged.

Bakugou immediately launched an explosion at his feet, rocketing backward to gain distance.

But Kirishima pressed forward, fists swinging in wide, crushing arcs.

BOOM!

Bakugou's explosions struck Kirishima's hardened form, but the redhead barely flinched.

Cloud leaned forward slightly.

"He's wasting energy. Kirishima can tank those hits."

Bakugou snarled.

"Tough bastard!"

He switched tactics.

Blasting to the side, Bakugou circled Kirishima, peppering him with smaller, rapid explosions.

Kirishima's defense held, but cracks began forming in his hardened skin.

"Can't keep this up forever!" Bakugou taunted.

Kirishima lunged forward, fists aiming to grab him.

Bakugou smirked.

"Gotcha."

BOOOOOM!

Bakugou detonated a massive blast between them, propelling himself high into the air while knocking Kirishima off balance.

Cloud's eyes glinted.

"Now."

Bakugou dove down like a missile, palms igniting.

"DIE!"

KA-BOOOOOM!

A colossal explosion engulfed Kirishima, the sheer force shaking the stadium.

When the smoke cleared, Kirishima was on one knee, panting, his hardening shattered in places.

Bakugou stood tall, smoke rising from his hands.

Midnight: "Kirishima is unable to continue! Bakugou wins!"

The stadium erupted.

Cloud allowed himself a single clap.

Ryuko smirked.

"Still think he's holding back?"

Cloud's expression darkened slightly.

"He's strong. But not enough."

His mind drifted.

Bakugou needed more.

More rage.

More control.

More limit.

Cloud stood up, stretching.

"I need air."

He left his seat, disappearing into the crowd.

Ryuko watched him leave, frowning.

"...What's with that guy?"

Kota bit into his candy apple, eyes wide.

"He's scary but cool."

Bakugou Stands Victorious

Bakugou didn't celebrate.

He simply stared at his hands, flexing his fingers.

"Not enough."

Somewhere in the stadium, Cloud leaned against a wall, watching him from afar.

"not bad kid."

The stadium was alive with energy, the crowd buzzing with excitement as the next match was announced.

Present Mic's voice roared through the speakers.

Present Mic: "Alright, folks! Next up, it's the explosive powerhouse you either love or hate—Katsuki Bakugou—going head-to-head with U.A.'s own gravity-defying girl, Ochaco Uraraka!"

The crowd erupted in cheers and murmurs.

Bakugou stepped onto the arena stage, rolling his shoulders, explosions crackling in his palms. His expression was hard, focused.

Across from him stood Ochaco, her small hands clenched into fists. Determination burned in her eyes, though there was a visible tremble in her frame.

The contrast between them couldn't be sharper.

Midnight: "BEGIN!"

Bakugou didn't move.

Ochaco charged forward, trying to close the distance.

Bakugou raised a hand and unleashed a controlled explosion.

BOOM!

Ochaco was blasted back, barely catching herself.

He didn't follow up.

He just stood there.

Waiting.

Watching.

The crowd shifted uneasily.

Booing started.

"Come on, Bakugou! Stop playing around!"

"She's just a girl, man!"

"Bully! Fight fair!"

The jeers grew louder.

Cloud sat still, silently chewing on a rice ball. His piercing eyes didn't leave the stage.

But as the crowd's noise escalated, Cloud's grip on the rice ball tightened.

A piece crumbled in his hand.

Then Cloud stood up.

He raised his voice—sharp and cutting through the noise like a sword.

Cloud: "SHUT UP!"

The stadium froze.

All eyes turned.

The pro heroes in the stands stiffened.

Cloud's cold, furious glare swept over the audience.

"You people really are idiots, aren't you?" His voice carried, each word like a blade. "You're calling him a bully for holding back?"

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Cloud's voice grew louder, angrier.

"He could've ended this match the second it started, but he didn't! That boy could blow her off the arena right now, but he's choosing not to!"

Silence.

Cloud's glare darkened.

"And you heroes—" His eyes flicked toward the pro heroes in the stands. "—you should be ashamed. You call yourselves professionals, but you can't tell the difference between holding back and going all out?"

Some heroes shifted uncomfortably.

Cloud didn't stop.

"Do you want him to blast her to the infirmary?!" He pointed at the arena. "Would that make you feel better? You call him a bully, but he's giving her more respect than he gave anyone else because he's letting her fight!"

Ochaco was panting, still pushing forward despite Bakugou's explosions.

Cloud's voice dropped, colder.

"If you can't understand the difference between strength and cruelty, you should hang up your damn capes. You're not heroes. You're bystanders pretending to be something you're not."

The stadium was dead quiet.

Cloud scoffed, turning to the civilians in the crowd.

"And the rest of you…" His eyes burned. "You think you know better? That you could do better?"

Silence.

"Stay out of danger if you're that soft. Otherwise, don't complain when someone's fighting to survive."

The crowd was frozen.

Cloud sat back down slowly, his gaze locked on Bakugou.

Ryuko stared at him, mouth slightly open.

"Who... are you exactly?" she muttered.

Cloud didn't answer.

The Match Continues

Bakugou hadn't flinched once during the jeers.

But he heard Cloud's outburst.

And for a moment, his scowl deepened.

Ochaco lunged forward, sending debris flying with her Zero Gravity.

Bakugou watched the raining rubble with narrowed eyes.

"Smart."

He raised his palms.

BOOOOOM!

A massive explosion ripped through the debris, vaporizing it mid-air.

Ochaco was thrown back, her body skidding across the arena floor.

She groaned, struggling to stand.

Bakugou slowly approached, not raising his hands.

Midnight leaned forward, tense.

Ochaco wobbled, fists up, ready to continue.

Bakugou stared.

"Give up."

But Ochaco didn't.

She charged again.

Bakugou's hand twitched, but he didn't fire.

Ochaco stumbled.

Her body gave out.

Midnight: "Ochaco Uraraka is unable to continue! Bakugou wins!"

No explosions. No final blow.

Just cold, decisive victory.

Aftermath

The crowd didn't cheer.

Not immediately.

But slowly, applause began.

Cloud sat back, expression unreadable.

Ryuko finally spoke.

"...I think I get why you're watching him so closely."

Cloud didn't respond.

His eyes stayed on Bakugou, who stood silently in the arena, the boos gone, replaced by uneasy clapping.

"Good."

Cloud leaned back, closing his eyes for a moment.

The stadium roared as the final match of the U.A. Sports Festival commenced. The energy in the air was electric, the anticipation thick as the two strongest first-years prepared to clash.

Present Mic's voice boomed through the speakers.

Present Mic: "Ladies and gentlemen, this is it! The FINAL match of the U.A. Sports Festival! On one side, we have the explosive powerhouse—KATSUKI BAKUGOU! And on the other, the prodigy of ice and fire—SHOTO TODOROKI!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, the atmosphere vibrating with excitement.

Bakugou cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders with slow, deliberate movements. His sharp, crimson eyes never left Todoroki. His palms sparked and crackled with tiny explosions.

Bakugou: "You better give me everything you've got, Icy-Hot."

Across from him, Todoroki stood still, his left side glinting with frost. Cold mist swirled around his arm, creeping along the ground.

But his right side—the fire—remained dormant.

Midnight: "BEGIN!"

The ground trembled.

Todoroki wasted no time, slamming his ice-covered hand into the ground. A massive glacier shot forward, jagged and towering, aiming to encase Bakugou completely.

But Bakugou was faster.

BOOM!

He blasted himself into the air, spinning to avoid the rising ice. Midair, he aimed his palms downward and let off a series of explosions, shattering the ice beneath him.

Bakugou: "Don't screw with me!"

More ice erupted from the ground, relentless and suffocating. Todoroki's face remained calm, eyes distant.

But Bakugou noticed.

The ice was mechanical. Automatic.

Half-hearted.

It wasn't the raw, aggressive ice that Todoroki had unleashed on Midoriya.

Bakugou's eyes narrowed.

Bakugou: "Oi, Icy-Hot! Where's the FIRE?! Huh?! You think I'm not worth it or something?!"

Todoroki's steps faltered for a brief second. His hand hovered near his right side—but he didn't move.

Bakugou's rage boiled.

Bakugou: "USE IT!"

BOOM!

He rocketed toward Todoroki, explosions blasting from his palms. Todoroki raised another ice wall, but Bakugou tore through it with sheer force.

Bakugou: "Don't you DARE hold back on me!"

He twisted in the air, palms spinning.

Bakugou: "I'LL MAKE YOU FIGHT ME SERIOUSLY!"

HOWITZER IMPACT!

The explosion was deafening, a cyclone of fire and smoke tearing apart the ice and slamming into Todoroki.

The ground shook violently.

When the smoke cleared, Todoroki was on his back, barely conscious, ice shattered around him.

Midnight: "Todoroki is unable to continue! Bakugou wins!"

The crowd erupted in applause, but it was shaky, uncertain.

Bakugou stood there, panting heavily.

But his face wasn't triumphant.

It was twisted in rage.

He stared down at Todoroki, veins bulging on his forehead, fists trembling.

Bakugou: "Why… why didn't you use it?"

Todoroki didn't respond.

Bakugou's breathing became erratic, his chest rising and falling.

His hands clenched tighter.

He wanted to scream.

Bakugou's Silent Defeat

As the match ended, Bakugou stumbled off the stage, his head low, shoulders tense.

Cloud leaned forward in his seat, eyes sharp.

He could see it.

That wasn't the look of victory.

That was the look of someone who had lost.

Cloud stood up, cupping his hands around his mouth.

Cloud: "BAKUGOU!"

Bakugou stopped, slightly turning his head.

Cloud: "YOU DID WHAT YOU COULD!"

Cloud raised his hand, giving a firm thumbs up.

Bakugou stared for a moment.

Then looked away.

But his fists… they loosened.

Only slightly.

Cloud sat back down, watching the boy walk off.

Cloud (thinking): Kid's got too much fire in him to let something like this break him.

The Winner's Ceremony

Later, the stadium quieted for the closing ceremony.

The winners stood on the podium.

3rd Place: Shoto Todoroki.

2nd Place: Fumikage Tokoyami.

1st Place: Katsuki Bakugou.

But Bakugou wasn't standing proud.

He was restrained.

Heavy metal cuffs clamped around his wrists, a muzzle strapped over his mouth.

He growled, thrashing violently.

Bakugou: "MMRRRHHH!"

Cloud's eyes darkened.

The crowd chuckled awkwardly, some outright laughing.

All Might descended onto the stage in his usual grandeur, holding the gold medal.

All Might: "Young Bakugou, congratulations on your victory!"

Bakugou struggled, growling like a caged beast.

All Might: "Now, now! Let's be calm, young man!"

Cloud's jaw tightened.

Cloud (thinking): The hell is this?

He watched as All Might forced the medal around Bakugou's neck.

Bakugou snarled, yanking against the restraints.

Cloud's fists clenched.

Cloud (thinking): If the kid doesn't want it, he shouldn't have to take it.

His cold blue eyes locked onto All Might.

Cloud (thinking): I swear, the next time I cross paths with you, hero or not, I'll deck you hard.

Cloud leaned back, arms crossed.

Bakugou didn't calm down.

Not even as the ceremony ended.

Not even as the applause died.

He stood there, shaking, restrained like a wild animal.

Aftermath

Later, Cloud stood outside the stadium, leaning against the wall, watching students and heroes pass by.

Bakugou eventually stormed past, fists jammed into his pockets.

Cloud didn't call out.

Didn't offer words.

Just gave a small nod as Bakugou passed.

Bakugou didn't look back.

But Cloud caught the smallest twitch in his clenched fists.

A flicker of acknowledgment.

Cloud (thinking): Good. Let it burn. Let it drive you.

The crowd dispersed, unaware of the storm still brewing within the boy who had just been crowned champion.

And Cloud, standing in the shadows, understood better than anyone.

Victory meant nothing when it wasn't earned the way you wanted.

And for Bakugou… this wasn't victory.

It was failure.

And that, Cloud knew, was far more dangerous.

A/N Section.

A/N: I have a minimum wage job now, I will sadly have to try and upload 1 chapter a day