Dekiru 10: The Symbol Of Peace And The Protector Of Earth

by Phantomdanger

Izuku Midoriya, previously quirkless, was offered One For All by the greatest hero, but during training, he discovered the Omnitrix. Now his on the journey to be the greatest hero, the Symbol of Peace and The protector of Earth. It's Hero Time!

26. Ch 24: The Sports Festival begins! P2

START!" Midnight's voice rang out, and in an instant, the students launched into action, sprinting at full speed toward the entrance. The tunnel ahead served as the first obstacle—a narrow passage that could barely accommodate the crowd.

"OKAY, HERE WE GO! TIME FOR SOME PLAY-BY-PLAY ACTION!" Present Mic's voice boomed, brimming with excitement. "ERASER HEAD, ARE YOU READY TO COMMENTATE?"

"You dragged me here, so I suppose I have no choice," Aizawa replied flatly.

"THAT'S THE SPIRIT! NOW, TELL US—WHAT SHOULD WE FOCUS ON RIGHT NOW?"

"The doorway," Aizawa said simply.

The chaos began immediately.

"Hey, hey!"

"Move it—you're in the way!"

"Ouch, stop pushing!"

Students collided as they funneled into the cramped space, elbows jabbing and feet scrambling for traction. The shouting grew louder as the fight for position intensified.

Then, the temperature plummeted.

The temperature dropped sharply, sending a chill racing through the tunnel. A sharp hiss echoed as frost snaked along the floor and walls. Within moments, the tunnel was completely coated in a slick, shimmering layer of ice. The frigid air stung exposed skin.

From the back of the pack, a massive wave of ice surged forward like an unstoppable tide. The frost crept over everything in its path, freezing students in place mid-stride. Limbs stiffened, breath fogged in the icy air, and boots skidded helplessly on the slick surface.

"What the—?!"

"I'm frozen!"

"It's so cold I can't move!"

At the front of the chaos, Shoto Todoroki walked calmly ahead, unbothered by the freezing conditions he had created. Frost clung to his left side, mist curling in the air around him. Behind him, the tunnel was a frozen wasteland.

"WHAT A MOVE! TODOROKI HAS TAKEN THE LEAD WITH AN ABSOLUTE SHOW OF POWER!" Present Mic's voice erupted with energy. "HE'S COMPLETELY FROZEN OUT THE COMPETITION—LITERALLY! THIS TUNNEL IS NOW AN ICY GAUNTLET!"

...

"Sorry, but—" Todoroki started, but the sharp sound of ice shattering interrupted him.

A green blur tore through the tunnel like a lightning bolt, ricocheting off the walls with explosive force. Each impact reverberated through the frozen space, cracks spiderwebbing across the icy surfaces. The blur came to an abrupt stop in front of Todoroki, landing with a thundering impact that shook the ground beneath them. Todoroki's eyes widened in disbelief.

"You're wrong, Mic," Aizawa's calm voice cut through the tension. "There's someone else in the lead."

With a burst of speed, Izuku Midoriya shot forward like a bullet, green electricity crackling violently around him, sparking against the tunnel walls. The sheer force of his acceleration sent gusts of wind whipping behind him.'

'"Thirteen percent of One For All feels manageable," Izuku thought as he pushed himself forward, his feet pounding against the ground. 'I've been using eight percent for so long and training so hard since inheriting One For All that I didn't realize just how much my body's limits have grown. But for now, 13% doesn't feel too bad.'

Todoroki snapped out of his shock, reacting immediately. He stomped his foot into the ice with authority, sending a jagged frost trail racing toward Midoriya.

Izuku's head throbbed with a sharp, stabbing pain, but he didn't falter. He dodged to the side with pinpoint precision, narrowly avoiding the creeping ice. Without slowing, he twisted mid-stride, raising his hand.

"Take this!"

He unleashed an 13% Delaware Smash with a deafening crack. The concentrated burst of wind slammed into Todoroki's gut like a cannonball. The force knocked the air from his lungs, staggering him backward as he clutched his midsection.

Izuku didn't look back. His legs pounded against the ground with relentless power, each stride propelling him forward like a rocket. He shot out of the tunnel at full speed, leaving the competition behind in stunned silence.

"IZUKU MIDORIYA HAS TAKEN THE LEAD!" Present Mic's voice exploded over the arena. "THIS IS UNREAL! WHEN DID HE EVEN GET UP THERE?!"

Izuku was a blur of green and crackling energy as he tore across the track. His determined gaze burned with intensity, the electricity around him crackling louder with every step.

In the stands, the students from Aldrea Academy were frozen in shock.

"No way..."

"Holy shit! When did Midoriya get a quirk?!"

Ishida sat rigid, his fists clenched so tightly that electricity crackled menacingly along his skin. His glare was sharp enough to cut steel, his rage simmering just beneath the surface.

Naomi's voice broke the stunned silence. "He's fast. Way faster than I thought... but there's no way he can keep this up, right?"

Despite her doubts, Izuku didn't slow. His speed, his power—it seemed almost unstoppable as he continued to widen the gap between himself and the rest of the racers.

...

"That's what happens when you don't pay attention," Aizawa said, his voice calm but firm. "If you were watching closely, you'd have noticed Midoriya's strategy from the start. He anticipated the bottleneck at the tunnel and used his speed to get ahead before anyone could trap him. A calculated move—exactly what I'd expect from him."

Todoroki narrowed his eyes, glancing back as the sounds of pursuit grew louder.

"Nice try, Todoroki!" Momo shouted. She used her Creation Quirk to produce a long pole, vaulting herself gracefully over the frozen terrain. Her movements were precise, each landing calculated as she closed the gap.

Izuku glanced back briefly, his heart racing as he caught sight of his classmates and others gaining ground. A smirk tugged at his lips. They're not giving up that easily.

"DEKU! HALF-AND-HALF BASTARD! YOU THINK YOU CAN OUTRUN ME?!" Bakugo's enraged voice boomed through the tunnel as he rocketed forward, explosions blasting from his palms with thunderous force. The shockwaves reverberated, sending cracks through the remaining ice as he barreled through the field.

"Woah! That was close!" Mina yelped, narrowly dodging an errant ice shard. She slid across the icy floor, using bursts of acid to stabilize her movements.

Ochaco gritted her teeth as she struggled to maintain balance on the slick surface. "I can't use my Zero Gravity yet... not until I get a better foothold," she muttered, her steps cautious but determined. A group of students nearby worked together, some even carrying Shinsou to keep pace.

Monoma, observing the chaos with an arrogant smirk, slowed his pace just enough to taunt. "Your quirks may be out of reach, Midoriya, but your mind? That's always fair game," he said, his voice dripping with malice.

Todoroki's annoyance was palpable as he glanced at the back of him. "More of them got through the ice than I expected... but none of them matter." His focus sharpened, the frost on his left side intensifying. "The real threat is you, Midoriya."

...

Mineta bounced effortlessly over the ice on his sticky spheres, grinning triumphantly. "Ha! Outwitted you, Todoroki! How pathetic! Behold my special attack! Grape-"

Before he could finish, an explosion erupted behind him, sending him flying through the air.

"GET OUT OF MY WAY, EXTRA!" Bakugo roared, his voice echoing through the icy tunnel as he rocketed forward, leaving a trail of scorched frost in his wake.

Ahead, Izuku sprinted at full speed when a sudden, stabbing pain lanced through his head. An instinctual scream from within his mind urged him: Jump!

Reacting without hesitation, Izuku leaped into the air, twisting mid-flight. A two-pointer lunged at him, its tail whipping toward him like a coiled serpent. With a precise roundhouse kick, Izuku struck the bot, shattering it into twisted metal and sparking debris as he landed.

But the pain returned, sharper this time, and the ground beneath him rumbled violently. Dust and debris were kicked into the air as the earth seemed to tremble beneath the weight of something massive. Izuku staggered, his breath catching as his eyes locked onto the source of the quake.

Towering before him was an army of Zero-Pointers, their colossal forms blotting out the horizon. Each mechanical behemoth was at least 20 stories tall, their towering frames casting long, ominous shadows across the arena. The ground shook with every step, sending shockwaves rippling outward. Their glowing red eyes burned like malevolent suns, fixed unerringly on Izuku—a lone figure dwarfed by their monstrous scale.

"T-The Zero-Pointers," Izuku whispered, his voice trembling as his heart pounded against his ribs. He felt like an ant staring up at giants, their presence suffocating and unyielding.

"OH, LOOKS LIKE ENEMIES HAVE APPEARED OUT OF NOWHERE! THIS IS GONNA BE A WILD RIDE, FOLKS! GET READY, STUDENTS, BECAUSE IT'S ROBO INFERNO TIME! YEEEEEAHHHH!" Present Mic shouted, his voice full of energy.

"AND MIDORIYA TAKES THE LEAD, BEING THE FIRST TO FACE THESE COLOSSAL ZERO-POINTERS!"

Despite the fear clawing at his chest, Izuku's lips twitched into a smirk. His heart raced, but it wasn't just from terror. There was something else—a spark of exhilaration coursing through him.

"It's hero time," he muttered under his breath, his emerald eyes blazing with determination.

As the rumbling intensified, Izuku raised his arm and pressed the faceplate of the Omnitrix. With a satisfying click, the device's interface sprang to life, emitting its characteristic green glow.

"Come on, Omnitrix," he said, scrolling through the holographic display as the towering robots marched closer, their steps shaking the very ground beneath him. "Give me Fasttrack!"

The rest of Class 1-A and 1-B sprinted to catch up, their eyes widening as they watched Izuku raise his arm and slam down on the device. A brilliant flash of green light exploded outward, blinding everyone momentarily.

When the light faded, Izuku stood transformed—but not into Fasttrack.

"Crashhopper?" the alien exclaimed, his voice carrying a mix of shock and annoyance as he looked at his insect-like legs. "Oh, come on!"

The students behind him skidded to a halt, collectively letting out a sigh of relief.

"Thank god," Kaminari muttered, grinning nervously. "He mis-transformed."

"Yeah, imagine if he actually got it right," Sero added, shaking his head.

But as Crashhopper turned to face the approaching Zero-Pointers, a confident grin spread across his face. "Doesn't matter," he said, cracking his knuckles. "Let's hop to it!"

...

As the towering Zero-Pointers surged forward, quickly closing in on Izuku, the stadium erupted in confusion. The spectators had already witnessed Izuku transform into a tiger-like alien, and now green electricity crackled around him again, sparking more questions.

"Wait... he transformed into a tiger thing—and now he's an insect?!" one spectator shouted. "That's not how quirks work!"

"I've never seen anything like that!" another commented.

"Quirk transformations are usually limited to one form—what's going on here?"

"And he showed signs of an emitter quirk, but now he has a transformation type too? That shouldn't be possible," someone else added, still trying to piece it together.

"It's like he has an entire arsenal of quirks packed into one person!" another fan said, shaking their head in disbelief.

...

Hawks, sitting in the stands, lowered his visor, eyes wide in awe. "The heck? Quirks don't operate like that."

Miruko grinned, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "Oh? First the Four Arms form, and now this? This kid's full of surprises."

Endeavor, his flames flickering brighter with irritation, growled under his breath. "The rumors about him having a quirk no one's ever seen before weren't just rumors. This is..."

"Kind of curious to see what this one can do," Miruko mused. Ryuko smirked playfully.

"Something tells me," Ryuko said, gesturing toward Crashhopper's insectoid limbs, "that this form's ability might make you a little jealous."

...

In the 3-A classroom, students gathered around desks, some sitting on tables, snacks and drinks in hand, watching the live broadcast of the first-year sports festival on the giant screen.

A blonde boy with a cowlick grinned widely, infectious enthusiasm lighting up his face. Next to him, a more awkward boy sat, his gaze fixed on the screen. A girl with sparkling blue eyes watched, curiosity evident in her expression.

The room buzzed with questions, especially regarding Izuku, now in his Crashhopper form, seemingly formulating a plan.

"Quirks don't work like that!" one student exclaimed, disbelief in their voice. "How the hell can he transform into multiple forms and still have super strength?!"

"Seriously, what's up with that kid?" another student shouted. "How can he go from being a rampaging beast to... that? Does he have multiple quirks?"

Mirio Togata chuckled, leaning back with a smile. "Huh, you don't see that every day. First the green electricity, then that awesome tiger, and now a bug guy? This first-year's full of surprises."

"This is incredible!" Nejire exclaimed, practically bouncing in her seat. "He told me he had so many quirks, but I didn't believe it! And look—his personality changes too! That Rath form was so intense!"

Amajiki, though quiet as usual, couldn't hide his curiosity. "I've never seen anything like it either," he said, glancing at the screen with interest.

Nejire's eyes were glued to Izuku as she leaned forward, excitement practically radiating off her. The entire classroom was captivated, murmuring with wonder at the display unfolding on the screen.

...

Present Mic sensing the confusion quickly tried to answer their confusion."OH RIGHT, I BET NONE OF YOU HAVE SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS KID HAVE YOU?" He laughed through the microphone.

Crashhopper legs began to crackle with elecricity he smirked as he looked at the approaching zero pointer.

"LET IT BE KNOWN THIS KID IS NO ODINARY KID EVEN WITH HOW WEIRD QUIRKS CAN GET!! IZUKU MIDORIYA WITH A WARPING 19 DIFFERENT FORMS EACH WITH THEIR OWN ABILITIES!! IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR ANY ABILITY FROM FIRE TO FREAKEN SUPER SPEED THIS KID HAS IT'S IN SPADES! HE'S SLIMY, CREEP FAST AND STRONG HE'S IZUKU MIDORIYA!!" Present Mic shouted as Crashhopper grinned he crouched low his segmented legs coiling like a tightly wound springs.

He's sharp edge claw feet dug into the ground as the rest of the class 1-A quickly approached, he's legs exploded with electricly crackling around them like a storm and with a BOOM!! A shockwave erupted everyone covered their eyes from the dust kicked up as he launched into the air.

The stadium watched the boy became green blur, like a missle he rocketed towards the towering 20 stories zero pointer using his head as raming battering with shattering force smashed straight through the zero pointer head, a clean hole left in it's wake as sparks and oil sprayed out like blood. The red optics flickered widly before dimming entirely.

The giant behomth the then toppled forward like collapsed tree he, it crashed to the ground with resounding BOOM! Sending debris and dust skyward.

Still suspended in the air, Crashhopper's body twisted as he landed on the head of another Zero-Pointer, his eyes widening in shock for a brief moment.

Then, the grin spread across his face, sharp and malicious, as he surveyed the massive army of towering robots in his path. The raw power of One For All surged around his legs, crackling like an electric storm ready to explode.

His voice dropped into a low, excited murmur. "Oh, this is gonna be fun," he breathed, his legs bending and coiling like springs, preparing for his next explosive strike.

"OH MAN LOOK AT HIS FACE I ALMOST FEEL BAD FOR THOSE HUNK OF METAL!!" Present Mic said

The stadium was left in stunned silence. The sheer power of Midoriya's attack, coupled with the revelation of nineteen different forms, had the audience reeling.

"NINETEEN?! Are you serious?! That's not a quirk--That's a whole arenal!!" Someone from the spectators shouted.

"There's no way..." Someone said in disbelief.

...

--

That can't be right... he thought, his brows furrowing slightly. According to his medical records, he only received his power last year. No way could someone master it so quickly...

He surveyed Izuku with a mix of admiration and caution. 'To show such mastery with his quirks... ' He bit back a curse, narrowing his eyes as he continued to observe the young hero. 'Most pros take years to even gain a semblance of control over just one ability. But this kid? To be able to juggle 19 quirks so seamlessly... It's unheard of.'

Hawks couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as he processed the implications. 'In just 12 months, he's already reached a level that takes others a decade to achieve. That's impressive...'

A trace of admiration lingered in his thoughts before the more pressing concern resurfaced. 'And a little worrying.'

The depth of Izuku's control was

'With that much raw power, that level of talent—who knows what kind of chaos someone like him could cause if the wrong people get their hands on him.'

He glanced around at the top pro heroes nearby, each of them equally stunned, but their expressions were veiled with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. 'And the HSPC...'

'They've got their sights set on him. If anyone could exploit a kid with this much versatility, it's them. They'll be salivating at the idea of turning him into some kind of weapon.'

A flicker of something akin to guilt tugged at his conscience, but Hawks swiftly suppressed it. He had learned long ago to bury such emotions under layers of duty. 'And with that much raw potential, I can only imagine what they'd do to him...'

Miruko, on the other hand, was practically grinning from ear to ear, her excitement barely contained. "Now those legs have some serious power," she said, voice full of admiration. "To take down something that big in one hit like that—and smash it head-on? Now that's some serious guts."

Endeavor, however, couldn't seem to tear his attention away from his own son, though a flicker of something—whether concern or curiosity—lingered in his gaze as he watched the scene unfold.

--

Class 3-A watched, jaws hanging open in shock.

"N-Nineteen?" one student stammered. "There's no way that's possible for one person. Most people struggle to master just one quirk!"

"Are you telling me he can just... switch between 19 different forms like it's changing outfits?" Amajiki asked, his voice tinged with disbelief. "What kind of overpowered nonsense is that?"

"If he has 19 forms, does that mean he can counter almost any quirk out there? That's... pretty scary." Yuyu murmured, still trying to process what they'd just witnessed.

Nejire clapped her hands together with enthusiasm. "How does that even work? Does he pick the form? Or is it random? Does he have a favorite?"

Mirio, ever the thoughtful one, cupped his chin. "I've spent years mastering my quirk. I can't even imagine having to master 19 different forms. That sounds terrifying."

"Terrifying is an understatement," Amajiki said, his voice shaking slightly. "Can you imagine going up against him? Someone who can change his entire fighting style mid-fight? How do you even counter that?"

Nejire grinned and nudged him playfully. "Come on, don't be such a scaredy-cat!"

...

"That's Izuku Midoriya for ya! The first time he fought the Zero-Pointer, he melted half of it and gave the entire city center a sunburn! Pulling an early lead, Midoriya stays at first place—it's almost unfair!" Present Mic shouted over the speakers, his voice echoing with excitement.

Todoroki, standing at the front of the advancing Zero-Pointers, surveyed the army before him. The shattered remains of the Zero-Pointer Izuku had obliterated lay in ruin behind him, a stark reminder of the devastation.

"Are those the 0-point villains from the practical test?!" Kaminari yelled, his voice tinged with a mix of disbelief and fear. He wasn't alone in his terror—many of the students yelled out in alarm at the sight of the towering titans, their massive forms casting long shadows over the arena.

"So, this is what the students faced in the exam, huh?" Todoroki said, his voice calm and calculating as he watched the robots march forward.

"Where does the school get the funding for this?" Momo asked, her voice filled with awe and concern as she stared up at the enormous machines, easily twenty stories tall.

Suddenly, one of the Zero-Pointers lunged at Todoroki, its giant metal fist swinging toward him with crushing force. But Todoroki was already prepared. With a sharp stomp of his right foot, ice exploded outward from the ground, cascading across the arena in a sharp, jagged wave. His right hand glowed with frosty energy, the cold creeping up his arm.

"They obviously went through a lot of trouble to prepare something like this," Todoroki murmured, his gaze unwavering as he steadied himself. "But I want them to prepare something more difficult... especially since my 'dear old dad' is watching."

With a swift, fluid motion, Todoroki thrust his hand toward the ground, and a massive wave of ice shot up from beneath him. The earth itself seemed to freeze, the cold spreading like a tidal wave, and in one powerful swipe, he directed the ice directly at the approaching Zero-Pointer. The ice hit the robot with crushing force, engulfing its massive legs and torso in an instant. The temperature plummeted as the machine froze solid, its systems grinding to a halt under the intense cold, its mechanical movements completely stifled.

A deep sigh escaped Todoroki's lips, the mist of his breath swirling in the cold air as the massive machine came to a standstill. He began to sprint, diving under the frozen behemoth's legs with fluid speed, narrowly avoiding the crashing weight of the now-stiffened Zero-Pointer.

"Dude, he stopped the robot!" One of the students shouted, their voice filled with awe. "Look, we can get through its legs!" Others quickly took notice, their eyes widening at the sheer scale of Todoroki's power.

Todoroki, hearing the chatter, glanced over his shoulder with a warning tone. "Careful now! I froze them when they were off balance," he called, his words precise as he observed the ice cracking along the robot's frozen frame. The massive machine, its systems unable to compensate for the ice, groaned under its own weight. Slowly, it began to topple, its gigantic form falling to the ground with an earth-shaking crash, sending debris scattering in all directions.

"On purpose."

"TODOROKI FROM CLASS 1-A!" Present Mic's voice rang out across the stadium. "HE ATTACKED AND DEFENDED IN ONE HIT! HOW ELEGANT! AMAZING! IT'S ALMOST UNFAIR HAVING THESE TWO ON THE SCENE!"

"His actions are logical and strategic," Aizawa observed, his tone neutral yet tinged with respect for the display of skill.

"AS EXPECTED OF SOMEONE WHO GOT IN THROUGH RECOMMENDATIONS!" Present Mic continued. "HE'D NEVER FOUGHT THESE ROBO INFERNOS BEFORE, BUT THEY COULDN'T GET PAST HIS ELITE MOVES! AND NOW HE'S TRYING TO CATCH UP TO MIDORIYA!"

...

Crashhopper remained perched on the head of one of the massive Zero-Pointers when he felt a sudden drop in temperature. Behind him, Todoroki's Quirk sent a wave of freezing ice across the battlefield, encasing a nearby Zero-Pointer in solid ice.

"Geez, Todoroki, talk about being cold," Crashhopper muttered under his breath, though his focus quickly shifted back to the task at hand. His eyes scanned the battlefield, an army of towering Zero-Pointers blocking his path.

These hulking robots, with their thick metal frames, glowing red eyes, and lumbering movements, created a wall of iron and technology. Their fists alone could crush a car, but to Crashhopper, they were just obstacles.

He smirked, adrenaline surging through his veins. "Well, I should stop wasting time!" With a sudden burst of speed, he shot forward like a bullet leaving the barrel of a gun.

The shockwave from his movement cracked the ground beneath him, creating a small crater where he had launched. In an instant, he was airborne, soaring toward the next Zero-Pointer in his path.

The massive robot swung its colossal fist at him, the force of the punch sending gusts of wind and debris flying. Crashhopper didn't even hesitate. He twisted his body mid-air, slamming his legs through the robot's thick arm.

The metal buckled under the force, and with a single, powerful strike, Crashhopper tore through the limb. He landed on the opposite side of the Zero-Pointer's chest, using the impact to propel himself further, a shockwave erupting in his wake.

The robot staggered back, its joints grinding as it struggled to stay upright.

Without losing momentum, Crashhopper pushed off the robot's chest, launching himself into the air again. He landed with incredible precision on the shoulder of another Zero-Pointer. The behemoth tried to react, but Crashhopper was already gone, leaping toward his next target.

One of the Zero-Pointers, seeing the alien insect on its comrade's shoulder, roared in fury. It swung its massive fist toward Crashhopper with a deafening crash. The punch was like a thunderclap, the sheer size and power of the strike creating shockwaves that rattled the battlefield.

Crashhopper's instincts flared. He felt a sharp pain in his head as the immense fist hurtled toward him, but with lightning speed, he shot away in an instant, the air crackling with energy as he darted out of the way.

The Zero-Pointer's fist slammed into its friend's shoulder with an ear-splitting crunch. Metal tore and screeched as the robot's arm was shattered, and the force sent the machine skidding across the ground, collapsing in a heap.

Crashhopper grinned. His head was a blur of motion as he ricocheted from one Zero-Pointer to the next. He smashed through one, his body slamming into the robot's chest with enough force to dent the thick metal.

He was already off and bounding toward another, using the giant machines as platforms to launch himself higher and faster. With every leap, his momentum built, his body hurtling through the air like an unstoppable force.

The Zero-Pointers, massive as they were, had no chance to react in time. Crashhopper bounced off one, then another, sending shockwaves through the field as he tore through their ranks. The hulking robots were little more than obstacles in his path, and he moved with relentless precision, each impact sending one of them crashing to the ground.

"Look at him go! Midoriya's blitzing through these Zero-Pointers like they're nothing more than speed bumps on his road to victory!" Present Mic's voice rang out across the arena, capturing the raw power of Crashhopper's assault.

"This form's known as CRASHHOPPER! HE HAS INSANE LEAPS AND JUMPS, AND THAT HEAD OF HIS MAKES FOR ONE HELL OF A BATTERING RAM!!" Present Mic continued, his voice filled with awe as Crashhopper tore through the battlefield, a blur of raw power and speed.

Crashhopper's relentless assault continued as he ricocheted from one Zero-Pointer to the next, leaving a wake of destruction in his path.

"Damn nerd!!!" Bakugou shouted, his explosions echoing as he chased after the alien, weaving through the robot inferno. His eyes were filled with murderous rage.

Ahead of him, Crashhopper was already blitzing through the battlefield, his jumps and ricochets making him nearly impossible to track. Bakugou snarled, refusing to let the alien get too far ahead.

Suddenly, from beneath the rubble created by the fallen Zero Pointers, Kirishima emerged, his Quirk activated. "Like I'd die!" he yelled, brushing off the debris and charging forward.

"KIRISHIMA FROM CLASS 1-A WAS UNDERNEATH! THAT'S CRAZY!" Present Mic shouted, excitement ringing in his voice.

"That bastard, Todoroki!" Kirishima yelled, still shaking off the rubble. "He timed it on purpose so it'd be right when they fell. If it hadn't been me, someone would've died!"

"EIJIRO KIRISHIMA! QUIRK: HARDENING! HIS BODY CAN GET SUPER HARD! HE CAN BECOME THE STRONGEST SPEAR OR THE STRONGEST SHIELD!" Present Mic explained, barely able to contain his enthusiasm.

Suddenly, a familiar voice joined the fray as Tetsutetsu burst through the wreckage beside Kirishima.

"That Todoroki is truly a bastard!" Tetsutetsu grumbled, his body turning to metal as he flexed.

"TETSUTETSU FROM CLASS B WAS ALSO UNDERNEATH! THAT'S CRAZY!" Present Mic shouted again.

"If it hadn't been me, someone would've died!" Tetsutetsu echoed, frustration evident in his tone, mirroring Kirishima's sentiment.

"TETSUTETSU TETSUTETSU! QUIRK: STEEL! HIS BODY CAN BECOME LIKE STEEL! HE CAN BECOME THE STRONGEST SPEAR OR THE STRONGEST SHIELD!" Present Mic continued.

"Our Quirks are pretty much the same?! I have a hard enough time standing out as it is!" Kirishima grumbled, wiping tears from his eyes. It was truly unlucky for him, having to share the spotlight with Tetsutetsu.

"Well, we might be racing each other, but let's work together on this. Let's carve a path!" one student called out, their arm turning green with scales.

Just as the words left his mouth, an explosion rang out behind them, and Bakugou blasted forward, his path clear as he soared toward the robots.

'No way am I letting Todoroki or Deku beat me,' Bakugou thought, his determination burning as he dodged a punch from a Zero Pointer and shot over its head. 'I'm not going to lose to you, Deku!'

Class 1-A's Bakugou was soaring over the obstacles like they were nothing, his raw power propelling him forward with reckless abandon.

He landed on top of a Zero Pointer, taking a quick breather, and spotted two more students flying toward him.

"I figured you'd blast your way through those things with your Quirk. I'm impressed!" Sero said, soaring through the air with his tape, using it to swing over the robots.

"I'll catch a ride with my shadow," Tokoyami added, not far behind. The darkness of his Quirk rippled with power.

"Let's land!" Tokoyami called, his dark bird-like shadow stretching its arms toward the robot below.

"Aye aye," Dark Shadow responded, wrapping around the Zero Pointer's leg as Tokoyami gracefully descended.

Meanwhile, Crashhopper was already leagues ahead, bouncing effortlessly between the Zero Pointers, using them as stepping stones for his rapid advance. His jumps were almost too fast to follow, each one sending shockwaves that rocked the surrounding machines. The alien's unstoppable momentum left the rest of the competitors scrambling to keep up.

...

Crashhopper reached the final Zero Pointer, landing with a smirk on its massive head. His eyes gleamed with confidence as he looked ahead, already preparing for his next move. But then, a sharp, stabbing pain shot through his skull, forcing him to tense.

"Huh?" He looked around, feeling the temperature plummet. The air grew unnaturally cold, and he could feel the chill creeping up his legs. A blast of freezing wind hit him like a slap to the face. He glanced down in horror as the thick, ice-cold layer rapidly spread across the Zero Pointer, freezing it in place.

The creature's body, once roaring with mechanical fury, now stood still, trapped in a shell of ice. His heart skipped a beat as the freezing frost began to approach his legs.

No time to waste, Crashhopper thought.

With a deep, instinctive growl, his insectoid legs, coiled like springs, tensed in preparation. Claws dug deep into the metallic surface of the frozen robot as electricity crackled around him. He crouched, feeling the burn of the cold against his skin, and in an instant, he leapt off the Zero Pointer's head with explosive power.

As the thick ice fully encased the robot, Crashhopper ripped through the metal with a fierce motion, shredding the machine as it began to break apart, its massive body crashing to the ground.

From below, Todoroki's eyes narrowed in frustration. His Quirk was powerful, but Crashhopper's agility was something else. He began chasing after the alien, intent on stopping him in his tracks. The frozen Zero Pointer began to disintegrate under the sheer force of Crashhopper's leap, collapsing in on itself with a deafening crash.

Crashhopper, propelled by the force of his jump, shot through the air like a missile, his body surging past the remains of the broken robots. The power of his leap was so intense that the massive head of the Zero Pointer jerked back, sending him soaring higher into the sky.

Within seconds, he was several stories in the air, the entire stadium now in full view. His heart pounded in his chest, his focus sharp as he glanced down at the sea of spectators below, a blur of excitement and awe.

"TODOROKI ATTEMPTS TO FREEZE MIDORIYA IN HIS TRACKS, BUT THE KID SAW THAT COMING! NOW HE'S GETTING A GOOD VIEW!!" Present Mic shouted, his voice ringing with exhilaration.

"The kid's got incredible reaction time—being able to predict Todoroki's next move in a split second, especially with how fast Todoroki can freeze someone," Aizawa commented, his voice low but impressed. "That's not something you see every day."

"YOU HEARD THAT, FOLKS?! IT'S A TESTAMENT TO BOTH COMPETITORS!!" Present Mic shouted, the crowd roaring in response.

Crashhopper was suspended in the air, the wind rushing past him as his heart thudded in his chest. For a brief moment, he reveled in the feeling of freedom, the stadium spread out beneath him like an endless sea. But then, the euphoria faded, replaced by the sharp realization that he was falling.

He was plummeting.

The alien's body contorted mid-air, his limbs locked in a desperate attempt to regain control. As the ground rushed up at him, Crashhopper slammed his hand against the Omnitrix on his chest, desperate for a change. A green flash erupted, and in an instant, his alien form was gone, replaced by the familiar shape of Izuku Midoriya.

The spectators screamed in unison, eyes wide in disbelief as the hero-to-be plunged from the sky.

"HOLY SHIT, THE KID'S NOT GOING TO SURVIVE FROM ALL THE WAY UP THERE!!"

"HE'S TOO HIGH UP! SOMEONE SAVE HIM!!" The panic in the crowd's voices was palpable.

Izuku Midoriya, now back in his human form, continued his descent, his body twisting in the air, desperately trying to control the fall. His heart raced, his mind reeling in the face of gravity's relentless pull. The ground was closing in too fast."Come on I'm gonna need someone to fly."

"MY BABY!!!!!"

At the Midoriya household, Inko Midoriya's voice echoed with a mix of panic and disbelief as she watched her son plummet toward the ground on live broadcast. Her eyes watered, her chest tightening with the terror of watching her son fall from such a great height.

In a split second, her instincts kicked in. She froze for a moment, her breath catching as the horrifying reality of the situation hit her. But then, she remembered what Izuku had said to her earlier, the confidence in his voice. He had always been determined.

"No, Izuku… I know you've got a plan," Inko murmured, her trembling hands gripping the edge of the couch.

She stared at the screen, trying to convince herself that he was more than capable of handling this. The seconds ticked by, each one stretching longer than the last.

But the fear was still there, gnawing at her.

"Oh, to hell with it!" she suddenly snapped, tossing her tea aside with a frustrated, exasperated motion. "I'm still your mother, and you're going to give me a heart attack!"

Her gaze never left the screen, her hands shaking, torn between worry and hope for her son's safety.

Izuku's heart pounded as the metal piece pressed against his armpit, and the ground rushed toward him with terrifying speed. The wind howled past his body, his limbs trembling in the freefall.

With shaking fingers, he reached for the Omnitrix on his wrist, the familiar weight of it barely registering as his pulse thundered in his ears.

His fingers fumbled as he pressed the side button, the dial rising with a faint click. The hourglass symbol flickered to life, glowing faintly as the ground was rushing towards him

His eyes scanned desperately, the seconds ticking away faster than he could process. Without hesitation, he spun the dial, flicking through the countless transformations.

His breath caught in his throat, and with a final, desperate slam, the Omnitrix locked into place. The faceplate snapped shut, and in an instant, a blinding green flash engulfed him.

The crowd gasped as they waited with baited breath. What form would he take next?

Then they heard it—the unmistakable sound of wings, like blades slicing through the air. Stinkfly emerged in a burst of speed, zipping through the sky as the crowd erupted in deafening cheers and screams.

……

"Holy shit, this kid really does have multiple quirks!!" someone yelled from the stands, disbelief in their voice.

"W-Woah..." Yubi muttered, wide-eyed with awe. "Midoriya looks... really cool right now." His words barely registered as the alien's wings beat in rapid succession, creating a rhythmic shuttering sound, cutting through the air with precision. Stinkfly darted across the obstacle course like a missile, maneuvering with incredible speed.

"Y-Yeah..." another student murmured, but Yubi's admiration didn't go unnoticed. Ishida, standing nearby, flashed an almost carefree smile. The thought of Midoriya taking second place didn't bother him; what bothered him more was the fact that Yubi—of all people—was praising the "nerd." It made his stomach twist.

'Oh, poor Yubi. You really should learn to keep your mouth shut, but don't worry. Your daddy's rich. He'll pay for your medical bills when the time comes.'

Back in the stadium, the teachers observed Midoriya flying through the course with remarkable agility.

"Looks like the pack leaders are from Class 1-A," Snipe remarked, his tone calm but tinged with admiration.

Vlad King crossed his arms, his expression a mixture of frustration and disappointment. "Why is my class falling behind? They've got the skills to be up there."

Toshinori, sitting with a thoughtful expression, added, "It's not as if the other classes are doing poorly. It's just..."

"Class A and some of B have learned not to hesitate," Aizawa interjected, his monotone voice carrying a weight of understanding. Despite this, he furrowed his brows, still puzzled by why so many Class B students were struggling.

--

On the field, Iida sprinted across the dirt with precision, his engine-fueled quirk propelling him forward. Leaping high into the air, he used the momentum to deliver a powerful kick to a robot before flipping mid-air and landing gracefully.

Behind him, another robot aimed to attack, but Jurota roared and smashed into it, tearing it apart with beastly strength. A short distance away, Sato consumed ten grams of sugar before landing a devastating punch that obliterated another bot in one swing.

Jirou deftly plugged her earphone jacks into two nearby robots, releasing her heartbeat in a concentrated blast that caused them to spark and collapse. Another robot loomed before her, catching her off guard. Before she could act, the bot was hoisted into the air by Yangi's quirk. Two horns shot through the machine, destroying it instantly.

Jirou turned to see Pony aiming with precision as fresh horns grew in place of the ones she had fired. Yui also joined in, shrinking one of the robots down to a size small enough to pocket before dashing past it. Moments later, she reversed her quirk, causing the shrunken robot to return to its original massive size, now trapped awkwardly in the debris.

--

Nearby, Kaminari placed his hands on a robot, focusing as electricity crackled across his body. Instead of discharging it wildly, he absorbed the energy flowing from the machine, rendering it powerless as it clattered to the ground.

'Midoriya told me I should focus on absorbing electricity instead of always blasting it out. I need to find the right moment to unleash it,' Kaminari thought, determination flashing across his face as he sprinted forward.

--

Aizawa watched the unfolding events intently. "They've learned not to hesitate. They've seen the real world—the chaos of facing villains. They know what fear feels like now."

On the screen, Kirishima and Tetsutetsu charged forward, punching through robots with relentless vigor. Uraraka focused her quirk to send multiple machines floating helplessly into the air. Some of the bots suddenly melted, leaving smoking holes in their chassis as Mina joined her, acids dripping from her fingertips.

"Yet they keep moving forward, pushing through that fear," Aizawa continued, his voice steady as Ojiro used his tail to slam another bot out of his way.

"They've grown. Every single one of them. And they understand the importance of acting quickly to survive."

--

Thirteen frowned slightly. "That's true, but a few students in Class B seem to be struggling. They've got potential, but they're lagging."

All Might nodded in agreement. "I'm surprised Young Kurorio isn't keeping pace. He's one of the fastest students in either class—aside from Young Midoriya, of course."

Snipe tipped his hat back, letting out a low chuckle. "All Might, you're playin' favorites again, ain't ya? But reckon you got a point. Kurorio should be up front with Todoroki and Midoriya, not trailing behind like some old mule."

All Might gave a sheepish laugh, scratching the back of his neck. "Perhaps. But he has the potential. Maybe there's something holding him back."

On the screen, Stinkfly weaved effortlessly through obstacles, his alien wings slicing the air as the crowd roared in excitement.

All Might smiled to himself, pride swelling in his chest.' You're doing incredible, kid. Keep it up.'

...

Todoroki sprinted after Stinkfly, who was already pushing Full Cowl to its limit. With a sudden burst of speed, the alien form rocketed ahead, his wings humming like a swarm of angry hornets as they beat furiously against the air.

Shoto's eyes narrowed, his breath visible in the freezing mist escaping his lips. Anger flickered across his expression as he thrust his right hand downward. With a sharp motion, a massive burst of ice erupted beneath his feet. The force sent him soaring skyward, leaving a jagged trail of frost in his wake.

Ahead, Stinkfly caught sight of Todoroki gaining altitude. Though still ahead, he knew he couldn't underestimate the icy prodigy. Gritting his teeth, Stinkfly's wings blurred, propelling him faster as the wind howled in his ears.

Shoto stretched his right hand forward mid-air, releasing a concentrated stream of ice. The frigid power snaked ahead, solidifying into a bridge that seemed to defy gravity. With perfect precision, he landed on the frosty path, his momentum carrying him forward seamlessly.

As the two neared the next obstacle, Todoroki's expression hardened. A tidal wave of ice erupted from his outstretched palm, surging forward like a frozen tsunami.

The sheer scale of the attack was staggering; towering crests of ice carved through the air, their sharp edges glittering menacingly under the sun. Todoroki leapt onto the moving wave, balancing effortlessly on its shifting surface as it carried him across the course like a glacial chariot.

Cold mist swirled around him as his determination burned bright in his eyes.

...

Stinkfly winced as sharp ice formations erupted in his path. The sudden change was blinding, the sunlight refracting off the crystalline spikes, creating an almost kaleidoscopic effect. The jagged spires rose high, forming a deadly maze that transformed the open sky into a frozen deathtrap.

Todoroki wasn't holding back. The ice expanded with each motion of his hand, forming massive spiked walls that loomed like frozen sentinels. The sheer power and scale of the structures made the crowd erupt in awe.

"OH? WHAT'S THIS? TODOROKI IS CREATING A FIELD OF OBSTACLES FOR MIDORIYA TO NAVIGATE WHILE CLOSING THE DISTANCE!" Present Mic's voice boomed, electrifying the stadium as the spectators cheered wildly.

Inside the frozen labyrinth, Stinkfly's wings worked overtime, the buzzing sound sharper as he maneuvered between the towering spires.

The icy cold gnawed at his limbs, the frost threatening to sap his strength. The crystalline teeth of the ice spikes jutted dangerously from all angles, eager to impale him at the slightest misstep.

"Damn it, Todoroki!" Stinkfly hissed, his multifaceted eyes scanning for an opening. He banked sharply, twisting his body as a spike nearly clipped his wing. The air was thick with shards of frost, some slicing through his path as he barely avoided them.

Ahead, a massive shard jutted out like a crystalline guillotine. Stinkfly growled and charged forward, smashing through the thinner parts with a stolen piece of metal plating from a robot.

The impact sent fragments scattering like glass, but it slowed him just enough for Todoroki to gain ground.

"Damn it," Stinkfly muttered, his voice filled with both frustration and exhilaration. His heart raced, and despite the danger, a grin tugged at his face. "Todoroki's incredible. To create something this complex and this dangerous on the fly..." He gulped, his wings pushing him harder as adrenaline surged. "But I can't help but feel excited. Let's see if I can outmaneuver him!"

--

Above the icy chaos, Todoroki created a ramp of glacial perfection, arching high above the spiked terrain. His breath remained steady, his eyes focused as his boots pounded against the ice. The force of his quirk spread frost outward with every step, reinforcing the structures as he advanced.

"That should keep him trapped for a while," Todoroki muttered under his breath, the faint mist swirling around his face. The sheer size and complexity of the icy prison he'd crafted were enough to stop most opponents in their tracks. "Enough for me to pass him."

Yet, as he glanced over his shoulder, Todoroki caught a glimpse of green streaking through the icy labyrinth, faster than he'd anticipated. His eyes narrowed as a small grin formed.

"Let's see if you can keep up, Midoriya," he muttered, raising his hand to unleash the next wave of frost.

...

Three Zero-Pointers toppled to the ground, their heads exploding into fiery debris. Momo stood firm next to a massive cannon she had created, smoke curling from its barrel.

"Piece of cake," she said confidently, adjusting her stance as she reloaded. With calculated precision, she fired again, a thunderous blast tearing through the last Zero-Pointer, which collapsed in a heap of shattered metal.

--

The air grew colder as Todoroki's icy domain expanded, the chill biting through the warmest layers of clothing. Frost crawled across the ground, and the towering maze of jagged ice formations stretched upward like frozen cliffs. Its labyrinthine design was intricate, with sharp, uneven spikes that jutted from every angle, glistening like glass in the sunlight.

Momo slowed her advance, her breath visible as she exhaled sharply. "Midoriya..." she muttered, her gaze shifting to the maze ahead. Worry flashed across her features before the sound of heavy footsteps snapped her out of her thoughts.

Kendo surged past her, fists already swelling in size. With a thunderous crash, she demolished a robot in her path, shards of metal flying in every direction. Her voice was steady, unfazed by the chill.

--

Bakugou's face twisted in frustration as he charged forward, his explosions weaker under the icy conditions. Frost clung to his gauntlets, melting away with every burst of heat, but slowing him down nonetheless.

"YOU DAMN PIECE OF SHITTY METAL, DIE!!" he roared, unleashing a massive blast that ripped through a Zero-Pointer. The robot crumbled into a molten heap, steam rising as the heat clashed with the freezing air.

--

Kirishima sprinted forward but stopped dead in his tracks as he beheld the frozen labyrinth.

"H-Holy crap..." Kirishima muttered, his breath hitching as the crystalline walls glinted menacingly in the sunlight.

Tetsutetsu stood beside him, his teeth chattering slightly, though his grin remained defiant. "Yeah... That's some serious power and control. Todoroki's really not messing around." Without hesitation, he charged forward, his metallic body scraping against the icy walls as he forced his way through the maze.

--

Further back, Toru hesitated, the frosty labyrinth looming like a frozen fortress. The sharp edges of the maze refracted the sunlight into dazzling patterns, making it difficult to gauge where the pathways led.

"Todoroki is kinda scary..." she whispered, her voice tinged with unease as her hands instinctively clutched her sides for warmth.

Mina rubbed her hands together, the cold making her fingertips numb, but her grin remained unfazed. "Scary? Sure, but this ice won't stop me."

She crouched low, concentrating as acid began to seep from her feet, sizzling against the frozen surface.

With a sharp push, she propelled herself forward, her acid melting just enough of the ice to create a slick surface beneath her. She moved smoothly, her motions akin to ice skating.

--

Tsuyu staggered slightly as the biting cold made her limbs stiff. The icy labyrinth towered around her like an ancient, frozen coliseum, its spikes arching above her head and forming tunnels that shimmered with frost.

"Ribbit... I knew Todoroki would make this difficult," she said, her breath coming out in small white clouds. She adjusted her posture, her determination flickering in her wide eyes. "That's why I trained for this... Ribbit."

With a powerful leap, she launched herself onto one of the icy walls, sticking to it with her hands and feet. The surface was slick, but she pressed onward, her frosty breath trailing behind her as she navigated the labyrinth's twisting heights.

...

In Class 3-A, the students stared at the screen in awe, unable to hide their astonishment at the raw power on display.

"What the hell is up with these first years?! They're absolute powerhouses!" one student exclaimed, his eyes glued to the unfolding chaos.

Yuyu cupped her chin thoughtfully, her gaze narrowing as she analyzed the scene. "Though, using that much power in just the first event might not be a good idea. They're expending a lot of energy early on."

Another student nodded in agreement. "Right? I get that he's the son of the Number Two Hero, but overusing your quirk like this just to gain an advantage could really backfire later."

Mirio, standing nearby with his usual cheerful demeanor, grinned brightly. "He's just giving it everything he's got."

The others turned to him, puzzled by his relaxed tone.

"You don't get it," Mirio explained, his smile widening. "That Midoriya guy has them all fired up. They don't want to fall behind, so they're pulling out all the stops to keep up with him. He's the top of the class—no one wants to lose to him, especially not on this stage."

As they digested his words, Nejire leaned forward, her excitement palpable as she pointed at the screen. "But how's Midoriya going to get through all that ice?!" she gasped, her voice bubbling with curiosity. "Do you think he'll transform again? I heard he has some kind of fire form! What if he just vaporizes the whole thing?"

Her enthusiasm made Amajiki visibly shrink in his seat, pulling his hood closer to block out her overwhelming energy. "Too bright," he muttered under his breath.

Yuyu, still studying the screen, tapped her chin again. "That's a lot of ice. If Todoroki's already pushing himself this hard in the first event, I wonder what he has left in the tank for the rest of the competition. This kind of output can't last forever."

...

Stinkfly navigated the treacherous ice maze, his narrow body barely squeezing through the jagged gaps Todoroki had created. His translucent wings fluttered in short bursts, struggling to maintain balance in the tight, frostbitten spaces. Each wingbeat echoed sharply in the cold air.

"Todoroki managed to do all this?" he muttered, swerving past another set of sharp ice spikes. He glanced at the scale of the frozen labyrinth, his compound eyes catching every glimmer of the icy expanse.

"Isn't he worried about overusing his quirk?" Stinkfly wondered aloud, his voice distorted slightly by the hum of his vibrating wings.

Then, after a moment of thought, his tone shifted. "No, Todoroki's smarter than that. He must have full confidence in his abilities to push this far."

His wings fluttered faster, electricity sparking faintly around them as he surged forward. Each flap sent a ripple of heat into the frigid air, pushing him ahead despite the freezing conditions.

Meanwhile, Todoroki sprinted across the frozen landscape of his own creation. The jagged peaks of his ice prism glistened in the light, casting long, sharp shadows. As he ran, he could hear the distinct, rapid flutter of Stinkfly's wings echoing within the labyrinth.

His brow furrowed in determination. He's moving too fast. I need to stay ahead of him. Gritting his teeth, Todoroki quickened his pace, his feet skimming effortlessly over the slick surface.

Inside the prism, Stinkfly grabbed a fragment of a destroyed robot, his clawed hands tightening around the hunk of metal. With a sudden burst of speed, he smashed through a frozen wall, shards of ice scattering like crystalline shrapnel.

The reverberations of the impact echoed through the ice, causing Todoroki to glance back briefly. He felt the structure begin to tremble. "Damn it," Todoroki muttered, leaping off the glacier just as Stinkfly burst free, One For All crackling faintly around his alien form.

Stinkfly darted forward, his wings now a near-invisible blur as he surged ahead.

"AND MIDORIYA BURSTS OUT OF TODOROKI'S TRAP LIKE A LIGHTNING BOLT!" Present Mic's voice boomed with excitement. "LOOK AT THAT SPEED, FOLKS! HE'S BACK IN THE LEAD!"

Todoroki grit his teeth as the crowd roared, their energy pushing him to keep pace.

"NOW THE REST OF THE FIELD WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THAT MASSIVE ICE TRAP TODOROKI DROPPED ON THE COURSE!" Present Mic shouted. "LET'S SEE WHO HAS WHAT IT TAKES TO BREAK THROUGH OR FIND A WAY OVER!"

The rest of Class 1-A and 1-B skidded to a halt as they approached the massive frozen labyrinth. Cold, sharp air filled their lungs, and their visible breath formed small clouds in the frigid atmosphere. The jagged formations loomed before them like a monstrous ice fortress, towering at least ten stories high.

"WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!" one student yelled, clutching their arms for warmth.

Without hesitation, Bakugo launched himself into the labyrinth with a deafening explosion. The cold sapped some of his energy, and his blasts were weaker than usual, but his sheer force of will propelled him forward.

"DAMN ICY BASTARD! I'LL SHOW YOU WHO'S THE BEST!" he roared, his explosions shattering chunks of ice as he forced his way through.

"KATSUKI BAKUGO ISN'T EVEN SLOWING DOWN!" Present Mic's voice blared. "HE'S BLASTING HIS WAY STRAIGHT THROUGH THE LABYRINTH! BUT WILL HIS EXPLOSIONS BE ENOUGH AGAINST TODOROKI'S ICE?!"

Kirishima and Tetsutetsu exchanged a determined glance, their faces set with steely resolve.

"Let's do this!" Kirishima growled, his skin hardening into jagged rock.

"Right behind you!" Tetsutetsu replied, his body gleaming as it coated itself in solid iron.

The two charged forward, smashing through the icy walls with brute force. Shards of ice flew in every direction as they roared in unison, their combined strength carving a path for those behind them.

"AND HERE COME KIRISHIMA AND TETSUTETSU! THEY'RE SMASHING THROUGH LIKE LIVING WRECKING BALLS!" Present Mic cheered. "WHO NEEDS STRATEGY WHEN YOU'VE GOT RAW POWER?!"

Further back, Tsuyu struggled to keep up, her limbs sluggish from the cold. She stumbled slightly, her body shivering uncontrollably.

"Tsu!" Ochako's voice called out. Tsuyu turned her head weakly, barely managing a "Ribbit?" before her legs nearly gave out.

Ochako's expression hardened with determination. I can't leave her behind. She worked too hard to get here.

Thinking quickly, Ochako's eyes darted to the icy maze ahead. An idea formed in her mind, and she rushed over to Tsuyu.

"Tsu, I need you to come with me!" Ochako said urgently, grabbing her friend in a tight hug.

"Ribbit? Ochako, I'm all for hugs, but is this really appropriate right now?" Tsuyu croaked, confused.

Ignoring her question, Ochako activated her quirk, and the two began to float off the ground.

"Tsu, trust me! Wrap your tongue around one of those ice spikes!"

Tsuyu blinked at her in surprise but nodded. She shot her tongue forward, latching onto a sturdy ice formation above them.

"Pull us in, Tsu!" Ochako shouted.

With a firm tug, Tsuyu launched the pair through the air. They arced over the jagged formations, the cold wind biting at their faces as they soared above the labyrinth.

"Ribbit!" Tsuyu exclaimed, regaining some of her energy as they swung through the air.

"KEEP AN EYE ON URARAKA AND ASUI!" Present Mic announced, his voice buzzing with excitement. "THAT'S SOME CREATIVE THINKING! WHO NEEDS TO RUN WHEN YOU CAN SWING THROUGH THE AIR LIKE HEROES IN A MOVIE?!"

"Keep going, Tsu!" Ochako cheered, holding on tightly as Tsuyu used her tongue to latch onto another spike, propelling them forward in a series of swings.

Above the icy terrain, the two girls moved with surprising agility, their teamwork allowing them to bypass the treacherous obstacles below. Ochako grinned, her determination burning brightly. "We've got this, Tsu! Let's show them what we're made of!"

"Ribbit, how did you come up with this?" Tsuyu asked as they swung through the icy maze, her tone a mix of curiosity and admiration.

Ochako glanced at her, her cheeks turning slightly red. "Me and Dekiru used to train together," she admitted, her voice softening. "We figured out that Spidermonkey could swing faster if I used my quirk to lighten him up."

Tsuyu nodded in understanding, but Ochako's expression shifted. Her face, already flushed from exertion, turned a deeper shade as her heart began to race. The memory of their training sessions played in her mind, but so did another thought—one that tightened her chest.

Her smile faltered as her thoughts drifted to Izuku and Itsuka. They had been spending more time together, and Ochako couldn't help but think about how close they were. She's planning to tell him how she feels, Ochako realized, her stomach twisting. By the end of the day, the two of them could…

Ochako shook her head fiercely, forcing the thought away. 'No, Ochako…' she told herself. 'You need to suppress these feelings. Focus on what's in front of you. You can't let this distract you.'

But despite her determination, the ache in her chest refused to subside. It was like a someone had grabbed her heart and was threatening to rip it out, making her want to curl in on herself. Her hands trembled slightly before she slapped her cheeks, the sharp sting pulling her back to the moment.

"Come on, Tsu! Let's keep going!" Ochako called out, her voice steadier now, though her heart still ached.

Tsuyu nodded, her expression calm as she wrapped her tongue around another spike and launched them forward.

...

Stinkfly shot through the skies, his destination clear as the finish line loomed ahead. "Alright, just two more obstacles, and this is in the bag!" he said, his wings buzzing furiously, determination etched on his alien face.

Meanwhile, Todoroki sprinted below, his breath visible in the frigid air. Frost coated his right side as he pushed himself harder. His sharp gaze locked on the alien ahead of him. " No way am I losing to him!" His pace quickened, cold mist rolling from his lips.

Behind them, a deafening explosion echoed through the frozen labyrinth Todoroki had created. He glanced back, catching sight of Bakugou erupting from the ice prism in a burst of fiery force. "Finally. Seems like he's finally riled up," Todoroki thought as Bakugou rocketed forward, explosions propelling him like a human missile.

Ahead, Stinkfly's compound eyes caught sight of the next obstacle, his grin widening.

Todoroki, seeing the same thing, cursed under his breath as his frost-covered right side stiffened. He couldn't risk another massive ice attack, not without overtaxing himself. His frustration burned as he slowed to assess the new challenge.

"FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO THOUGHT THE FIRST OBSTACLE WAS EASY, LET'S SEE IF YOU CAN HANDLE THIS!" Present Mic's voice boomed through the stadium. "IT'S TIME FOR THE FALL!"

The crowd erupted in cheers as the next challenge came into view: towering rock pillars of varying heights and widths stretched across a massive chasm, connected by a fragile web of ropes. The setup was precarious, with narrow paths and unstable footing.

Stinkfly soared over the towering pillars with ease, his wings beating like a steady drum. "This'll be a breeze for me," he said smugly.

"AND MIDORIYA FLIES OVER THE COURSE LIKE HE OWNS THE SKY! IT DOESN'T EVEN SEEM FAIR!" Present Mic exclaimed as cameras zoomed in on the alien gliding effortlessly. "WHILE THE OTHERS HAVE TO TIPTOE ACROSS, MIDORIYA IS TAKING A MASSIVE LEAD!"

Todoroki, refusing to slow down, began freezing ropes into icy pathways, sliding forward with precision. Stinkfly looked down, catching sight of him.

"OH, MIDORIYA THINKS HIS WINGS CAN CARRY HIM TO VICTORY WITHOUT A SWEAT?!" Present Mic said with a mischievous tone.

"How irrational," Aizawa muttered, eyes narrowing.

From the announcer's booth, Present Mic leaned over to Aizawa with a grin. "Hey, Eraser, your student's getting cocky. Feel like humbling him a bit?"

Aizawa's lips curled into a smirk. "Why not?" Present Mic handed him a controller, and a targeting monitor appeared, the crosshairs settling on Stinkfly.

"First one to bring him down buys lunch," Present Mic teased.

"Deal," Aizawa replied, his dry smile growing wider.

Unaware of the impending danger, Stinkfly continued his confident flight over the chasm. "Just need to keep my momentum. Todoroki's losing steam, and Bakugou—" His words were cut off as a sudden, sharp stabbing pain lanced through his skull. His head jerked instinctively to the right.

Danger Sense.

From the towering pillars below, cannons erupted from hidden compartments, their mechanical whirring filling the air as they locked onto him. Stinkfly's compound eyes widened. "What the—?"

The cannons fired, unleashing powerful jets of high-pressure water aimed directly at him. He dove sharply, the first jet narrowly missing him but blasting a nearby pillar into fragments. The air vibrated with the force of the impact.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" Present Mic yelled with glee. "LOOKS LIKE WE'VE GOT ANTI-FLYER DEFENSES IN PLACE! MIDORIYA WON'T HAVE IT THAT EASY AFTER ALL!"

Stinkfly flapped his wings harder, his body twisting to avoid another jet. The stabbing pain returned, sharper than before. His instincts screamed at him to bank left, and he did so just in time to avoid another blast that would have sent him spiraling into the abyss. "This isn't good!" he muttered, his wings buzzing frantically.

Another stab of pain directed him to a cannon on his right. He glanced at the nozzle as it began to charge. "Not today!" Stinkfly growled, green goo spewing from his mouth. The acidic substance hit the nozzle dead-on, clogging the barrel. A second later, the cannon ruptured with a violent explosion, shaking the entire structure.

Stinkfly surged forward, his wings a blur. The pain in his head flared again. He twisted mid-air, narrowly avoiding another jet that nearly clipped one of his wings.

"AND MIDORIYA IS DODGING EVERYTHING THROWN AT HIM!" Present Mic shouted, the crowd on the edge of their seats. "BUT HOW LONG CAN HE KEEP THIS UP?!"

Below, Todoroki gritted his teeth, his frustration mounting. Frost expanded from his side as he continued his relentless chase, unwilling to let the alien widen the gap.

The stabbing pain returned, sharper this time, as Stinkfly's gaze snapped toward two pillars. The cannons mounted on them swiveled, locking onto him with precise targeting systems as they prepared to unleash another torrent of high-pressure water. Stinkfly didn't wait.

Twin jets of green goo shot from his eyes with incredible speed, splattering against the barrels. The viscous substance clogged the nozzles before he unleashed another volley of goo at a second cannon.

Both barrels sputtered violently, the built-up pressure overwhelming their systems. A moment later, with two deafening backfires, the cannons erupted in fiery explosions, shrapnel scattering across the obstacle course.

Stinkfly weaved between jets of water, his movements precise and almost graceful despite the chaos around him. He wheezed as he pushed himself faster, wings buzzing furiously. The bug-like alien swung his tail in a sharp arc, slicing clean through one cannon before twisting mid-air to avoid another attack.

Without missing a beat, he spat another stream of green goo at an approaching cannon. The sticky liquid splattered across its barrel, and the cannon recoiled violently, erupting in a shower of sparks and metal.

Cheers erupted from the stands as Stinkfly continued his aerial dance, weaving through streams of water like a needle threading through fabric.

Each move seemed preordained, his actions smooth and calculated as if he could sense the danger before it even arrived.

Another cannon fired, but Stinkfly reacted instantly, his head snapping toward the threat as he coated the weapon in goo. The cannon sputtered before exploding in a flash of light, the pressure inside too much to contain.

"LOOK AT THAT! MIDORIYA IS MAKING THIS LOOK LIKE A WALK IN THE PARK!" Present Mic yelled, practically vibrating with excitement. "HE'S SLASHING AND GUNKING EVERYTHING IN HIS WAY!"

From the announcer's booth, Aizawa scowled, his fingers tightening around the controller. "How is he dodging all of this?" he muttered, irritated.

"BECAUSE YOU'RE SUCKING, AIZAWA!" Present Mic shouted, pointing an accusing finger. "SHOOT HIM DOWN ALREADY!"

Aizawa's eye twitched in annoyance. "Shut up. You haven't even come close to hitting him."

Fed up, Aizawa grabbed the controller with both hands, narrowing his eyes at the targeting system. He took a deep breath, his gaze locking onto a cannon positioned in Stinkfly's blind spot. The machine whirred as it adjusted, its barrel spinning faster and faster, building up pressure for a devastating strike.

The stabbing pain surged again, more intense than before. Stinkfly's head snapped around just in time to spot the cannon primed to unleash its torrent. He acted without hesitation, a stream of green goo arcing through the air. The viscous liquid splattered against the barrel, sealing it shut.

The pressure inside the cannon reached its limit, and with a deafening bang, it exploded in a fiery burst of steam and metal fragments.

The stadium roared with cheers, fans rising to their feet as Stinkfly darted through the obstacle course with remarkable precision. Cameras zoomed in on the bug alien, his wings a blur as he soared toward the other side of the chasm.

Aizawa and Present Mic glared at the screen in front of them, their irritation palpable. "This kid…" Aizawa muttered.

"He's too smug!" Present Mic growled.

Below them, Stinkfly reached the other side of the obstacle with a triumphant grin. He looked back briefly at the destroyed cannons before smirking.

"Fly like a butterfly, stink like Stinkfly," he quipped before shooting forward with renewed speed, his confidence as unshakable as ever.

...

""Holy shit, Young Midoriya!!" All Might shouted, grabbing his head in surprise. "Did I teach him that? You know what? Yeah, I taught him that!" He puffed out his chest, clearly taking credit for the feat despite knowing it was more likely the boy's own instincts.

"Damn, that boy's got reflexes sharper than a cactus needle in a dust storm," Snipe drawled, adjusting the brim of his hat. "Ain't just luck neither—that was skill, plain and simple. To predict and counter like that? Now that's a gunslinger's precision."

Nezu chuckled softly, taking a delicate sip of his tea as the room buzzed with excitement. "Hm, fascinating," he said with a cheerful smile. "It wasn't just reflexes at play. He moved with calculated precision, predicting the cannons almost as if he could see them before they fired."

Thirteen nodded, her tone reflective. "Some of those cannons were positioned in his blind spots. Yet he still managed to evade them, almost as if—"

"—Almost as if someone whispered the playbook straight in his ear," Snipe finished, tipping his hat back as he leaned against the wall. "Kid's got instincts that'd make a rattlesnake jealous."

Nezu's smile widened as his eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence. "Instincts, yes, but more than that. Midoriya's movements weren't just reactive; they were predictive. It's as though he possesses an extra layer of perception—like a sixth sense guiding his actions. Fascinating, wouldn't you say?"

Snipe gave a low whistle. "If that ain't the truth, then call me a liar. That boy's sharper than a fresh-honed blade. Whatever he's got, it's somethin' special, alright."

"Indeed," Nezu mused, his tone light yet thoughtful. "Perhaps it's worth looking into further. All Might I would advice asking him about it when you have the time."

"Oh, uh sure!"

...

The sharp pain flared again, pulling Stinkfly's attention to his right. A cannon was about to fire. Acting quickly, he spat a jet of green goo, the viscous liquid hitting the cannon's barrel just as it began to shoot.

The pressure built up within, and with a deafening boom, the cannon exploded into shrapnel. Stinkfly surged forward, his wings buzzing faster, propelling him through the air with renewed urgency.

"Damn, the kid's fast!" Present Mic exclaimed, gripping the edge of the announcer's desk as his eyes followed the green blur. "Shota, we're gonna need to team up if we want to bring him down!"

Aizawa's face was as calm as ever, though his fingers twitched against the controller. "Agreed. He's making this harder than it needs to be," he said, his voice low and steady. His eyes locked onto Stinkfly's darting form as he adjusted his aim.

Stinkfly weaved through the air, narrowly dodging streams of high-pressure water that erupted around him. The air was thick with mist and the scent of ozone from the cannons' bursts, but he pressed on, his movements growing more frantic.

He dove under two simultaneous jets of water, his antennae twitching as the ever-present stabbing pain of Danger Sense kept him moving.

Ahead loomed the minefield, a precarious patch of uneven terrain dotted with explosives. Stinkfly slowed slightly, hovering over the field as his compound eyes scanned the chaos below. His wings beat steadily, but the pain returned, sharp and insistent. It tugged at his senses, directing him to his right. He veered left, barely dodging a high-pressure blast of water that shot past him, spraying his side with droplets.

"Okay, okay, I can handle this," he muttered, his voice tight with determination. But the signals kept coming. Another jolt of pain pulled him behind, forcing him to ascend just as a stream of water burst from the ground.

"Close call—too close!" Stinkfly hissed, his chest heaving as his compound eyes darted around. The constant warnings were overwhelming, a barrage of disorienting signals that pushed his reflexes to their limit.

Another flash of pain struck, this time from the front. He dove instinctively, avoiding the blast, but in his haste, he left his sides exposed. A sudden splat of water clipped his left wing, throwing him into a spiraling descent.

"Ahhh!" he cried out, his wings buzzing erratically as he fought to regain control. Below him, another cannon erupted from the earth, its nozzle angling upward like a predator zeroing in on its prey. The stabbing pain flared in his skull, and he twisted midair to face it, but it was too late.

"Midoriya, you are grounded," Aizawa said coldly, his voice cutting through the stadium's roar.

The cannon fired, the high-pressure jet of water hitting Stinkfly square in the chest. The impact was brutal, knocking the wind out of him as he was hurled backward. He tumbled through the air, his limbs flailing as he plummeted toward the ground.

The crowd gasped as he hit the earth with a wet thud, rolling across the uneven terrain of the minefield. His wings drooped, dripping with water, as he struggled to push himself upright.

"Ah, man," he groaned, collapsing back onto the ground, his energy spent.

"IZUKU MIDORIYA'S DOWN! IZUKU MIDORIYA'S DOWN!" Present Mic's voice boomed through the speakers, electrifying the crowd as cameras zoomed in on the downed alien hero.

In the distance, Bakugou's sharp ears caught the announcement. A wicked grin spread across his face as he propelled himself forward with deafening explosions. "You're not getting ahead of me, you damn nerd!" he snarled, the ground beneath him trembling with each burst.

Todoroki, hearing the same update, clenched his jaw. His breath puffed out in frosty clouds as he pushed himself harder, ice forming beneath his feet to carry him faster.

His narrowed eyes locked on the path ahead. "I won't lose to him... or anyone," he muttered, determination burning like a fire within the cold.

...

Todoroki slid smoothly across the rope, his ice-coated soles allowing him to glide with precision. Reaching the other side of the chasm, he leapt off and landed in a crouch, his expression calm and focused.

Behind him, the sharp crack of explosions tore through the air, growing louder with every second. Bakugou propelled himself forward, each blast from his palms sending him rocketing closer. The fiery determination in his crimson eyes was unmistakable.

"YOU FUCK!" Bakugou roared, his voice echoing across the course. "LIKE HELL I'M LOSING TO YOU!"

Todoroki didn't turn, his attention locked on the path ahead. The finish line was still in the distance, but he wasn't about to let Bakugou's rage distract him. His resolve was clear—catch Midoriya, no matter what.

"I will beat you!" both of them yelled in unison, their rivalry driving them forward.

--

Far ahead, Stinkfly groaned as he sputtered water from his mouth, his soaked wings refusing to obey him. He reached for the Omnitrix on his chest, slapping the dial. A flash of green light enveloped him, and when it cleared, he was back to his human form—wet, battered, but determined.

He glanced around, the final stretch of the obstacle course opening up before him. The open field seemed deceptively calm. He coughed, rubbing his sore arms, and muttered to himself, "I just need to make it to the finish line before they catch up."

Green lightning sparked across his soaked body as he took a cautious step forward. Suddenly, a sharp, stabbing sensation shot through his head—his Danger Sense flared like a blaring alarm. Without hesitation, Izuku flipped backward, his muscles moving almost before his mind could catch up.

Another jolt of pain struck, this time more intense. His body reacted instinctively, flipping again—then again, and again. His movements were erratic but precise, as if guided by an unseen force. Each backflip carried him farther from his initial position, leaving him standing several feet away, panting and bewildered.

The spectators in the stands watched in stunned silence, their confusion palpable as they saw Izuku seemingly dancing around an invisible enemy.

"What is he doing?" One of the spec asked, leaning forward.

"Wait for it," Present Mic said.

Suddenly, with a deafening BOOM, the ground where Izuku had stepped erupted in a fiery explosion. A chain reaction followed as hidden mines detonated one after the other, rocking the field. Smoke and dirt filled the air, and the realization hit Izuku like a freight train. His eyes widened in horror as the truth set in.

"I'm... I'm in a...," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

"THAT'S RIGHT, IZUKU MIDORIYA!" Present Mic's voice thundered over the speakers, shaking Izuku out of his shock. "YOU'RE IN A MINEFIELD! ONE WRONG MOVE, AND BOOM!"

...

Izuku froze, his heart pounding as he scanned the vast open field around him, the realization dawning like a cold weight on his chest. He was standing in the middle of a minefield. The churned-up dirt and faint scorch marks scattered across the ground only made his fear grow.

"Ah, man," he muttered, gulping as green electricity crackled faintly over his body. His mind raced for a plan, but each step forward felt like tempting fate.

--

On the spectator screens, Todoroki watched the feed of Midoriya cautiously standing amid the minefield, his calm demeanor unshaken. To him, this was a chance. He glanced up briefly before resuming his sprint toward the treacherous zone.

'I see. The leader suffers most by forging ahead, paying the price for being first. I suppose this will make for entertaining viewing,' Todoroki thought, his feet pounding the ground as he closed the distance. However, the faint roar of explosions from behind made him glance over his shoulder.

"IT'S OVER, YOU DAMN ICY-HOT BASTARD!" Bakugou's voice roared like a cannon, cutting through the noise of the crowd. His palms ignited in fiery bursts, launching him forward in a blinding rush.

Todoroki barely reacted, keeping his focus ahead, but Bakugou wasn't letting him off easy.

"YOUR DECLARATION OF WAR WAS AGAINST THE WRONG PERSON!" Bakugou shouted, propelling himself closer with each deafening explosion. His rage burned just as fiercely as the heat from his quirk, but this time, it wasn't entirely directed at Todoroki.

--

"WHILE MIDORIYA IS STUCK IN THE MINEFIELD, KATSUKI BAKUGOU AND SHOTO TODOROKI ARE FIGHTING FOR SECOND PLACE! THIS IS GETTING INTENSE!" Present Mic's voice boomed over the arena, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Bakugou's teeth clenched at the reminder that he was still behind Izuku. No matter how far ahead he got, the thought of Deku outpacing him gnawed at his pride like a relentless itch he couldn't scratch.

...

Izuku looked around the field, cupping his chin as his mind raced. "Okay, I need a plan... I need something smart, fast... and effective." His eyes fell to the Omnitrix on his wrist as it let out a soft beep, the faint green glow catching his attention.

He brought the watch closer, taking a deep breath. "Alright, let's do this," he muttered, cracking his knuckles for focus. With a deliberate motion, he pressed the button on the Omnitrix. The faceplate popped open with a sharp click, and a holographic silhouette projected upward, its glow drawing murmurs from the crowd.

--

In the stands, the tension was palpable. Everyone leaned forward in anticipation, waiting to see which alien Izuku would transform into next.

Back in Class 3-A, Nejire's enthusiasm bubbled over. Practically bouncing in her seat, she clapped her hands. "Oooh, what do you think he's going to pick this time?"

"Probably something to sense the mines," Yuyu suggested with a thoughtful tilt of her head. "That would let him avoid them entirely."

"Or something to tank them!" Mirio chimed in with a grin. "Take the hits and just keep going—that sounds like a Midoriya move."

--

Izuku turned the Omnitrix dial, his thumb stopping over the silhouette of Fasttrack. A confident smile spread across his face.

"Come on, Fasttrack," he said, raising his arm. "I should be quick enough to trigger the mines but outrun the blasts before they catch me. It's time for Fasttrack!"

With a decisive motion, Izuku slammed his hand down on the Omnitrix dial. A flash of green light erupted, and the crowd erupted into cheers, cameras zooming in to capture the transformation.

As the light faded, Izuku looked down at himself—and froze. Instead of the sleek, feline form of Fasttrack, he saw the sharp, crystalline body of Diamondhead.

"Diamondhead?" Izuku said aloud, his voice carrying a note of disbelief. "Seriously? I'm in desperate need of speed, and I get one of my heaviest and slowest form?"

--

The audience's reaction was immediate and loud.

"Whoa, look at that thing!" someone in the stands shouted, pointing at Diamondhead's glinting, jagged form.

"Is he made of actual diamonds? That's insane!" another exclaimed, awe coloring their voice.

"Man, this kid really has 19 transformations. Talk about having an answer for everything!"

A pro hero in the audience leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Versatility like that? Kinda jealous."

In Class 3-A, Nejire's eyes sparkled as she leaned forward. "Diamondhead looks so cool! Look at how shiny he is!"

Mirio nodded in agreement, a grin splitting his face. "And tough! He could probably walk through the minefield without even flinching. I bet he could tank those blasts easy!"

Yuyu, however, tilted her head with a thoughtful frown. "But he looks slow. He might tank them but if the other two they may beat him."

...

Diamondhead stood at the edge of the minefield, his sharp green crystals glinting in the sunlight. "I could just run through it," he muttered, eyeing the scattered explosives. "Diamondhead could tank the blasts..." He paused, scanning the area for another option. His gaze landed on a nearby monitor showing Bakugou blasting himself forward with controlled explosions, a determined scowl on his face.

Narrowing his eyes, Izuku watched the technique closely. Inspiration struck as memories of the USJ attack surfaced. He recalled the desperate fight against Kaine, how the villain's speed and strength had overwhelmed his human form. He'd been too slow, too weak. But it also had taught him that he shouldn't be to reliant on his forms.

With a determined gleam in his eye, he cracked his crystalline knuckles.

Slamming his foot into the ground, Izuku created a wide, pale-green crystal surfboard. It shimmered with jagged edges, perfect for the task ahead. A confident grin spread across his face as he activated the Omnitrix and shifted back to his human form. The crowd erupted in confusion, murmuring among themselves. Why had he reverted to his regular self?

Ignoring their reactions, Izuku knelt and began digging up the mines, using the crystal surfboard to scoop them out of the ground. He worked quickly, piling the explosives. His eyes darted to the Omnitrix on his wrist, its green glow steady. He knew he could transform again, but hesitation gnawed at him.

"I can't take the chance of getting the wrong alien," he muttered under his breath. His hands moved faster, determination fueling his efforts. 'This is my shot—if I want to stand tall as All Might's successor, I need to win every event!'

The thought steeled his resolve. Izuku piled another set of mines off to the side, sweat dripping down his forehead. 'The Omnitrix is my ace, but I can't rely on it for everything. The less they see my forms, the more unpredictable I'll be.' A smirk tugged at his lips as he cleared more ground. 'But I need to show them what I can do.'

He glanced at the minefield, calculating the distance to the finish line. If I could transform into Crashhopper, I could leap right over this in one jump... but I can't leave it up to luck.' His hands gripped the board tightly. I need to win, and I need to win smart.'

...

All Might's voice boomed across the stadium, echoing with urgency and pride. "Come on, kid! You can't let Young Bakugou and Young Todoroki catch up! Show them what you're made of!"

On the sidelines, Snipe chuckled behind his mask, arms crossed as he watched. "Heh, no doubt about it. That young'un's a chip off the ol' block, just like his pa."

Meanwhile, in the stands, Ishida stifled a laugh, his voice dripping with mockery. "Pfft! Look at him! Digging? What a joke. He's finally realized how hopeless he is and decided to throw in the towel."

Naomi leaned back with a smirk, her eyes narrowing as her words laced with venom. "Don't be too harsh, Ishida. Deku's always been... special in his own way."

Ishida snickered louder. "Special? Yeah, special enough to dig his own grave. What kind of idiot wastes time digging in a race when they're already in the lead?"

Naomi's grin widened cruelly. "That's why he'll never make it as a hero. He'll never stand among the best."

Their taunting drew the attention of a nearby Pro Hero, who raised an eyebrow, his voice tinged with disappointment and amusement. "Really? That's what you think he's doing?"

Naomi rolled her eyes, unimpressed. "Huh? And what else could he possibly be doing?"

Yubi, her expression calm but curious, glanced at the Pro Hero. "Oh? You think there's more to it?"

The Pro Hero chuckled knowingly, his gaze locked on Izuku. "Just wait. In a moment, you'll see the difference between those who settle for mediocrity... and those who aim for greatness."

Ishida scoffed but couldn't help but glance at the screen. His snickering only grew.

--

Far behind on the course from Izuku, Todoroki and Bakugou charged forward, their competitive instincts flaring as they pushed harder toward the finish line. But as they glanced at the monitors, their focus broke.

Todoroki's eyes widened in surprise, his pace quickening. "What...?" he muttered, seeing Izuku's methodical digging. The realization hit him like a shockwave. If he's planning what I think he is... I won't be able to close the gap!

Bakugou's reaction was no less explosive. His crimson eyes narrowed with rising panic as he blasted himself forward. 'Damn it, nerd... no way! If he pulls this off...'He gritted his teeth in anger. His explosions roared louder, propelling him with even more ferocity.

--

Back at the minefield, Izuku wiped sweat from his brow, glancing at the pile he had meticulously gathered. He stepped back, surveying his handiwork. "That should do it..." he murmure.

The crowd, initially confused by his digging, began to stir as realization spread like wildfire. The cameras zoomed in, revealing a growing mountain of landmines stacked carefully in front of him.

--

In the stands, Miruko leaned forward, her ears twitching with interest as a grin tugged at her lips. He wouldn't... she thought, her excitement growing.

Class 1-A and 1-B, still struggling on the Fall course, froze as they glanced at the monitors. Their eyes widened with dawning comprehension.

Mineta trembled, his voice cracking with panic. "G-Guys... M-Midoriya's not seriously thinking what I think he is, is he?"

The others surged forward with renewed urgency, a collective understanding hitting them like a tidal wave.

"If he does what I believe he's about to do, catching him will be nearly impossible," Momo muttered to herself, her grip tightening on the rope she was climbing.

Izuku took several steps back from the towering pile of mines, a small grin breaking across his face. Sparks of One For All crackled along his limbs, the green energy dancing wildly around him as he crouched low. The air itself seemed to tense as the crowd watched in stunned silence.

With a burst of speed, Izuku sprinted toward the pile, the power of One For All propelling him faster than the eye could follow. At the last moment, he leapt forward, clutching the Diamondhead crystal surfboard beneath him like a shield.

The stadium erupted in gasps as Izuku belly-flopped onto the pile of mines.

The explosion was deafening. A colossal pink cloud of smoke and debris shot into the air as the sheer force of the blast rocketed Izuku across the minefield.

The crowd collectively held its breath, and then the silence was shattered.

"HOLY CRAPBALLS!" Present Mic's voice screamed over the speakers. "MIDORIYA JUST ROCKETED OVER THE MINEFIELD! THIS KID WAS ALREADY IN FIRST PLACE, BUT SWEET MERCY, HE'S MAKING A STATEMENT!"

Miruko shot out of her seat, her leg thumping rapidly against the ground as her adrenaline spiked. She couldn't hide the grin on her face now.

"Damn, kid," she muttered to herself. "You've got guts."

In another section, Nejire from Class 3-A gawked at the screen, her jaw dropping. "No way... He's insane!"

Izuku's form came into view as the smoke cleared, and he landed with a backflip, the force of his impact echoing across the stadium. Without hesitation, he broke into a sprint, Full Cowl activated and surging at maximum power as he hurtled toward the finish line.

--

Back in the stands, the Pro Hero who had spoken earlier smirked at the stunned expressions of the Aldrea students. He crossed his arms, his voice carrying an air of finality.

"And that... is the difference between settling for average... and striving for greatness."

Everyone stared in stunned silence, the tension in the air palpable. Ishida's teeth ground together, his anger boiling over as he turned to the screen, jabbing a finger at Bakugou. "What the hell are you doing, Bakugou?! Beat that useless Deku already! Quit screwing around and win this thing, damn it!"

The nearby Pro Hero glanced at him, unimpressed, before shaking his head. "Hate to break it to you, kid, but the gap between Midoriya and the others is too wide. At the pace he's going, there's no chance anyone can catch up to him now—least of all Bakugou."

Ishida's face burned red with frustration, his fists clenched tight as he seethed in silence. The Pro Hero's words only added fuel to the fire, but it was Present Mic's booming announcement that truly made his blood boil.

--

Present Mic threw his arms in the air with dramatic flair, his voice shaking the stadium. "IZUKU MIDORIYA IS MAKING HIS WAY TO THE FINAL STRETCH! AT THIS RATE, TODOROKI AND BAKUGOU AREN'T EVEN IN THE RUNNING FOR FIRST! THEY'RE JUST FIGHTING OVER SECOND PLACE!! THIS KID DIDN'T EVEN USE HIS SPEED FORM, AND HE'S STILL LEAGUES AHEAD!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, the atmosphere electric with excitement.

"No way!" one spectator exclaimed. "You're telling me this kid has super speed and he didn't even use it?!"

Another jumped to their feet. "And he's already this far ahead of everyone else? That's insane!"

"This kid's not just strong—he's a genius too!" someone else added. "No hesitation, no wasted moves. He's got it all!"

In the pro section, murmurs turned into outright declarations as the heroes watched the screen intently.

"He's got the brains, the power, and the strategy to back it all up," one Pro Hero remarked. "If this is the kind of performance he's putting on as a first-year, I'm sending him an offer the second this is over."

Another Pro Hero nodded in agreement, their tone filled with admiration. "Absolutely. He's not giving anyone a chance to catch up. The way he's handling this course—he's already thinking like a pro out there."

Endeavor's arms were crossed, his jaw tight with frustration. His fiery gaze burned into the screen as he growled, "Shoto, you're only making a fool of yourself. If you'd used your left side, you could've gotten ahead of him by now." His fist clenched, knuckles whitening as his frustration simmered beneath the surface.

Hawks leaned back with an easy grin, though his sharp eyes betrayed his keen interest. "The kid's putting on one hell of a performance, no doubt about that. The pros can't take their eyes off him." He chuckled lightly. "Pretty clever, using his forms like that—not showing too much but just enough to keep everyone guessing. Plus giving a show to the Pros."

Meanwhile, Miruko stood with her arms crossed, a smirk tugging at her lips as her leg tapped against the floor in rhythm with her excitement. "This kid's got balls of steel to pull a move that reckless. He was already ahead of everyone, but he still went for a Hail Mary like that."

--

The stadium roared as Izuku continued his breakneck pace, the cheers and declarations of admiration washing over him.

...

Bakugou and Todoroki glared ahead, frustration etched into their faces as the minefield loomed before them.

Meanwhile, Midoriya was already a blur in the distance, having cleared the obstacle with his explosive stunt. Anger surged through them—Midoriya had outpaced them, and the gap he'd created felt insurmountable.

Behind them, Iida clenched his fists, his usually calm demeanor cracking under the pressure. He could see the others ahead, closing the distance on the minefield, but the sight of Midoriya—already far beyond—stabbed at his pride.

"No…" he whispered hoarsely, his voice trembling. He punched his fists together, shaking as his engines sputtered faintly. "Dammit!" he roared, crouching low as his frustration boiled over. Tears threatened to spill, but he grit his teeth, refusing to let them fall.

He's not even using a speed form… The thought churned in his mind like a storm. How can I even compete if I don't give everything I have?

Ahead, Izuku sprinted through the course, sweat pouring down his face as One For All crackled faintly around him. His legs burned, his lungs screamed, but he pressed on, surging forward with every ounce of strength he could muster. Then, pain shot through his head—a sharp, familiar jolt. He staggered momentarily, jerking his head back, before the energy surrounding him flared.

One For All erupted around him like a roaring flame. He shot forward faster, each step cracking the ground beneath him.

"WOAH, WOAH! MIDORIYA IS KICKING IT UP A NOTCH!" Present Mic's booming voice echoed across the stadium, drawing a roar of cheers from the crowd.

But in the dust trailing behind Izuku, Iida's engines suddenly roared to life, fiercer than ever before. He crouched low, determination blazing in his eyes. "No," he whispered. "I refuse to settle! Like Midoriya said… 110%! I will give my all!"

His engines sputtered violently, glowing brighter with each second until they burned white-hot. A low rumble filled the air, growing louder and louder until—

BOOM!

The sound tore through the stadium like an explosion. A shockwave rippled outward, blasting dust and debris into the air. Bakugou and Todoroki staggered as a massive gust of wind slammed into them.

"The hell was that?!" Bakugou barked, shielding his face as his hair whipped around.

Todoroki's eyes widened, his usually calm expression breaking into shock. "That… was Iida?"

A stunned silence fell over the stadium as a streak of blue and silver tore across the course, faster than anyone had ever seen. For a moment, not even Present Mic could find his voice. His glasses slipped from his face, and his jaw hung open as he stared at the dust cloud left in Iida's wake. Beside him, Aizawa—ever stoic—looked visibly stunned.

The whole stadium watched in awe, their voices caught in their throats.

Izuku felt the wind whip violently around him, and his eyes widened as a blur of silver and blue streaked toward him. "I-Iida?!" he stammered, turning his head to catch a glimpse of the boy rocketing forward.

The roar of engines thundered behind Izuku as he sprinted forward, sweat pouring down his face. His legs burned with exertion, every muscle screaming as One For All crackled faintly around him, urging him onward. But the sound of wind—no, a storm—rushing closer made him glance over his shoulder.

Iida was closing the gap. Fast.

Izuku's eyes widened as the blur of blue and silver engines streaked toward him. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to push harder. How is he moving that fast?! No questions, just action. Hero time!

He brought his arm up, the Omnitrix glowing faintly on his wrist as his thumb hovered over the button to transform.

"That's it!" Iida roared, his engines flaring brighter as a deafening boom erupted behind him. The sound of his engines was almost drowned out by the violent gusts of wind trailing in his wake. The ground trembled beneath his steps as he surged forward, faster than anyone thought possible.

Just one moment, Iida thought, his eyes locked on Izuku like a missile locked onto its target. He'll slow down—just for an instant—when he goes to transform. That's all I need!

Izuku pressed the Omnitrix button, but before he could choose a form, the rushing wind around him shifted. His eyes darted to the side—just in time to see Iida's shoulder flash past him.

The air seemed to freeze. For the first time in the race, Izuku felt it: the jarring, disorienting sensation of being overtaken.

The crowd erupted in a deafening roar as Present Mic finally broke out of his stunned silence.

"WHAT IS THIS?! TENYA IIDA IS IN FIRST PLACE! TENYA HAS PASSED MIDORIYA!"

Iida didn't stop. His engines roared even louder, propelling him forward like a rocket, the ground cracking beneath his feet with every step. The sheer force of his speed created a dust cloud that billowed in his wake.

In the stands, Present Mic flailed, his voice nearly cracking with excitement. "CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS, ERASERHEAD?! LOOK AT THAT SPEED! THIS ISN'T JUST A SPRINT—THIS IS A SONIC BLAST ON LEGS!"

Aizawa, for once, didn't respond. His eyes were locked on Iida, a rare look of astonishment crossing his face.

Izuku's shock only lasted a moment. His gaze snapped back to the course ahead, his heart pounding in his chest. I can't transform—it'll take too long to pick the right form.

He turned mid-stride, electricity surging up his arms as he brought both hands forward. His voice cut through the air like thunder.

"26% DELAWARE SMASH!"

The flick of his fingers unleashed a shockwave that erupted with bone-rattling force. Dust and debris exploded outward as the blast rocketed Izuku forward. The sheer momentum threw Iida slightly off-balance, forcing him to stumble before regaining his footing.

But it was enough.

Izuku shot past Iida like a lightning bolt, his body straining against the incredible force. His legs pumped furiously, One For All flaring up to 16% without conscious thought. Every muscle screamed in protest as electricity danced across his frame, but he didn't stop.

Present Mic's voice rose to a fever pitch, his excitement contagious. "HOLY SMOKES! MIDORIYA IS BACK IN THE LEAD! HE'S NOT JUST RUNNING—HE'S FLYING THROUGH THE COURSE!"

The stadium was chaos as the two racers hurtled forward, neck and neck. Bakugou and Todoroki, still trailing behind, could only watch in stunned silence as the battle for first unfolded before them.

Izuku's legs were on fire, muscles screaming in protest as his body pushed itself to the limit. One For All surged at 16%, a raw force that seemed to burn through his limbs with every step. His breath was ragged, his chest heaving as he surged through the tunnel, each stride feeling like the last.

Behind him, Iida's engines roared louder, a deafening screech as he pushed his own body beyond what seemed possible. His breath came in short, desperate gasps, his lungs searing with every inhale. He could feel the pressure building, every muscle straining as he poured everything into catching up to Midoriya. His chest heaved with each push, but the gap remained.

Iida's gaze locked onto Izuku, determination flashing in his eyes. He dug deep, forcing himself to accelerate. The sound of his engines was like thunder as he surged forward, the ground shuddering under the force of his speed.

Sweat poured down his face, stinging his eyes, but he couldn't afford to stop. Just a little more, he thought, as he closed the gap.

The two were neck and neck now, their bodies flying down the track with such force it seemed like they were trying to outrun time itself. Izuku could feel Iida's presence, his footfalls matching his own as they pushed toward the finish line.

Iida pushed harder, his engines screaming with raw power as he fought to pull ahead. His breath was labored, but his resolve was unshakable. He was gaining ground, the blur of Midoriya's figure just within reach. But Izuku, digging into whatever reserves he had left, would not let him pass.

In a last-ditch effort, Izuku summoned all the power he could muster, every fiber of his being screaming in protest as his legs exploded forward.

The sheer force of his burst of speed threw him ahead, leaving Iida behind just as they both shot out of the tunnel.

"AND IN FIRST PLACE WE HAVE IZUKU MIDORIYA!" Present Mic shouted, his voice ringing out over the stunned silence that fell over the stadium.

Izuku's legs nearly gave out under him as he crossed the finish line, but he stood tall, hands on his knees, panting heavily. His breath was ragged, sweat dripping down his face, his entire body shaking from exhaustion.

"WITH SECOND PLACE IN A SURPRISING TURN OF EVENTS—TENYA IIDA! I REPEAT, TENYA IIDA HAS RISEN FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE PACK TO THE TOP TWO!!"

Izuku and Iida stood there for a moment, the sheer weight of what they had just accomplished settling over them. The crowd, who had been silenced by the intensity of the race, erupted into an earth-shaking roar, shaking the very stadium beneath their feet. Bakugou and Todoroki exchanged glances, both still stunned by the turn of events.

"Iida...?" Todoroki asked, his voice almost incredulous.

"You mean that gust of wind was Four Eyes?" Bakugou growled, his tone tinged with disbelief and respect.

Yaoyorozu's eyes widened in shock. "That speed… that was Iida?"

"No way..." Mineta said, his voice faint as he clung to Ojiro, still processing what he had just seen. He had planned to make a move on Momo earlier, but the chaos had thrown him off course.

"Holy shit," Sero muttered under his breath, still in shock as the race resumed.

The crowd, still roaring with excitement, clapped and cheered, their voices filling the air as the race continued.

Izuku stood up slowly, his chest heaving with each breath, sweat glistening on his forehead. He was exhausted, his body trembling with the aftermath of the race, but there was a spark of triumph in his eyes. All Might, sitting in the teacher's stands, clapped in approval, his face full of pride for his student.

Izuku smiled, clenching his fist in a silent victory, and for a moment, he allowed himself to revel in the accomplishment, despite the exhaustion that still clung to his limbs.

In the stands, All Might beamed, his heart swelling with pride as he clapped for his student, knowing just how hard Izuku had fought to earn this.

...

"MY BABY IZUKU!!!" Inko Midoriya shouted from her apartment, her voice breaking as tears of joy flowed down her face. Watching her son claim first place on the TV screen filled her heart with pride beyond words.

...

The pro hero who had spoken to Ishida earlier stepped out of the shadows with a broad grin. "Now that's going plus Ultra," he said with a tone of respect, clearly impressed by what he had just witnessed.

Ishida's eyes narrowed, a sickening feeling twisting in his gut. The boy he had written off was now shattering expectations, and every fiber of his being screamed that something wasn't right. Izuku Midoriya, the weakling he used to mock, was now at the top. It shook him to his core.

"Holy shit, you saw that?!" one student exclaimed, barely able to believe his eyes.

"Yeah… Who knew Midoriya had it in him like that?" Yubi said, her voice tinged with surprise.

"Did you see how fast he was going?! Like a green lightning bolt! Bakugou wasn't even close to him during the whole race!" another student shouted, wide-eyed.

"Yeah, hard to believe that's the same Midoriya," another one murmured, staring at the screen as if expecting the footage to change.

Naomi was frozen, her mind spinning. 'What the hell? When did he get so... so... what?!' Her eyes were wide in disbelief as she watched Izuku zoom through the course with ease.

She replayed the entire race in her head: the way he shot ahead in the beginning, how confidently he took on the zero pointers, and that last desperate push through the minefield. He had pulled off a Hail Mary explosion that left her speechless.

Bakugou couldn't even catch him. The son of the number 2 hero—barely even slowed him down. 'Just… what happened to him?'

Her thoughts stumbled as she tried to make sense of it all. He smiled. He grinned with this confidence I've never seen before. Naomi's heart pounded in her chest, her hands trembling. 'When did you change so much, Midoriya?'

...

"All Might stroked his chin, his brows furrowed as the scene replayed in his mind. His years of experience as a Pro Hero told him what he'd witnessed wasn't ordinary. "Young Midoriya," he began, his voice tinged with pride but heavy with curiosity, "I've never been so proud, but how were you able to predict all those attacks?"

He paced slowly, his sharp mind analyzing every detail. "Those mines were perfectly concealed. No sound, no visual cues. Even with my experience, I would've had to rely on sharp observation and instinct to dodge them. But you..." He paused, narrowing his eyes. "You reacted as if you knew they were there before they even triggered."

Thirteen nodded in agreement. "Your successor is sure something," they said, awe in their voice.

All Might puffed his chest slightly, though his mind was still turning. "Y-Yeah, I taught him well, if I do say so myself," he boasted, though a hint of doubt lingered.

Snipe tilted his hat back, smirking as he leaned against the wall. "Really now? Sure he ain't just self-taught?" he teased, his cowboy drawl thick. "Kid moves like he's been wranglin' rattlesnakes out in the desert."

"Hey, I'm a great teacher!" All Might shot back, a hint of playful indignation in his voice. His outburst earned a round of chuckles from the others.

Vlad King, arms crossed and eyes narrowed, glanced at Snipe. "But you have to admit, Iida gave Midoriya a run for his money out there. That speed of his was something else."

Snipe let out a low whistle, tipping his hat forward. "Boy, I'll tell ya, that Iida kid moves faster than a jackrabbit in a brushfire. Didn't know he could crank it up like that." He adjusted his hat thoughtfully. "Has he ever shown that kinda speed before?"

All Might gave a slow shake of his head, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. "No, not that I can recall. Tenya's always been fast, but this was beyond anything we've seen." He pressed a hand to his chin, his tone thoughtful.

...

Somewhere, three purple eyes looked at Midoriya, and they glowed with a scowl as they looked at the boy. "Izuku."

...

...

Izuku was panting heavily as he turned to Iida. "Iida... How did you..." He trailed off, swallowing the bile rising in his throat.

Iida approached his friend, his own breaths ragged and uneven. "Midoriya, are you alright?" he asked, concern lacing his words.

Izuku raised a shaky hand to stop him. "If you see my face turning green, step back," he said weakly, trying to gather himself.

A robot assistant rolled over, offering the two some much-needed water. They both drank gratefully before Izuku collapsed to the ground, exhausted. He chugged the rest of his bottle, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Okay," Izuku began, gulping down some air. "How were you able to move so fast?"

Iida, now sipping on an orange juice, paused. He quickly downed another can—then another, clearly needing the fuel. "I... I'm not sure," he admitted honestly, his brow furrowing in thought.

Izuku raised an eyebrow. "Not sure? That's not like you."

Iida looked down, adjusting his glasses. "All I know is that I needed to push myself, and... well, I just did," he said, almost as if it surprised him too.

Izuku smiled, extending a hand toward his friend. "Well, whatever it was, you gave me a really hard time out there."

Iida stared at the offered hand for a moment before smiling back and taking it. "Yes, though you certainly weren't making it easy for me. Next time, I will beat you," he said confidently.

Izuku smirked. "Wouldn't have it any other way."

Iida tilted his head thoughtfully. "Though, if I may, it seemed you were moving faster than usual too. I'd say nearly twice as fast as normal."

Izuku blinked in surprise, the memory of the race flashing back to him. "Oh, yeah, I guess I—" He suddenly winced, clutching his fingers as pain shot through them. His adrenaline had faded, leaving his body aching and bruised.

"Midoriya, are you alright?" Iida asked, his voice filled with concern.

A little further away, Bakugou dropped to his knees, his hands trembling from overusing his Quirk. He clutched his arm, letting out a low hiss of pain before glaring daggers at Izuku. "Deku... no way... not again..." he muttered. His crimson gaze shifted to Iida. "And you too, four-eyes... Damn it!"

Todoroki, standing off to the side, was panting as the frost melted off his body. His icy eyes locked on Izuku briefly before he turned and walked away in silence.

"As the rest of the contestants make their way back to the stadium, let's hear some noise while we wait for the results!" Present Mic's voice boomed, igniting cheers from the audience.

--

Izuku was now sitting on the ground, trying to regain his strength, as his ears caught the sound of footsteps running toward him. Iida was still steadily drinking his orange juice nearby.

Shiozaki emerged from the tunnel, placing fifth. She panted lightly, exhaustion clear in her posture. Raising her head, her gaze landed on Izuku, who was sipping some water.

"He was incredible," Ibara thought, her cheeks faintly flushed. She recalled the way Izuku had outmaneuvered the minefield. The minefield strategy was brilliant—in one move, he avoided it entirely.

Gathering her composure, Ibara approached him. "Midoriya, congratulations," she said warmly. "On your first-place finish, I mean."

Izuku blushed, rubbing the back of his neck. "You too! Making it into the top five is amazing."

"Thank you," she said with a soft smile, "though compared to your performance, it feels insignificant."

Izuku opened his mouth to protest when he heard a familiar voice.

"Dekiru... That was... amazing..." Ochako huffed as she jogged up to him, still trying to catch her breath. Tsuyu followed closely behind, her calm demeanor intact despite her obvious fatigue.

"Iida, I had no idea you could move so fast!" Ochako exclaimed, wide-eyed.

"You really surprised us, ribbit," Tsuyu added.

Iida, now breathing more steadily, adjusted his glasses again. "Neither did I," he admitted, his thoughtful expression returning. "It's something I'll need to reflect on."

Ochako tilted her head in confusion, but before she could say more.

...

The sound of hurried footsteps caught Izuku's attention just as Ochako and Tsuyu moved to find their own spots to recover. He turned to see Yaoyorozu approaching, her breathing heavy from the exertion of the race. Concern immediately crossed his face as he stepped toward her.

"H-Hey, Yaoyorozu, are you okay?" he asked, trying to gauge her condition.

"Of course," Momo replied between breaths. "Just... exhausted from the course."

Izuku opened his mouth to say something else, but froze mid-sentence as he got a full view of her. Her jacket had come undone during the race, revealing the black sports bra beneath. His face turned beet red as he quickly spun around, squeezing his eyes shut.

"C-C-C-Can you p-p-p-please... I mean, uhh, it's j-j-just..." Izuku stammered, unable to get the words out. He settled for pointing awkwardly in her direction, hoping she'd understand.

Momo blinked and followed his gaze, then glanced down to see what he was referring to. Her jacket had indeed come open, but she didn't seem particularly fazed. "Oh," she said nonchalantly. "I suppose I should cover myself."

She calmly fixed her shirt, smoothing it out before glancing back at Izuku. He was still standing with his back to her, a blushing, stammering mess. A mischievous smile spread across her face as she walked up behind him and leaned close.

"Did you like what you saw?" she whispered teasingly in his ear.

Izuku stiffened like a board, his face somehow turning an even deeper shade of red. He turned his head slightly, his expression caught between panic and embarrassment. "W-What?! N-No, I mean— I didn't—" he babbled incoherently before the girl let out a giggle. He's face turned blank collapsing onto the ground, hugging his knees.

"I'm disappointed in you, Yaoyorozu," Izuku said with mock tears streaming down his face. "I already have Ashido teasing me! If you start too, I don't think I'll survive!"

Momo couldn't help but giggle at his dramatic reaction, crouching down beside him and giving his back a few affectionate pats. "Sorry, Midoriya, I couldn't resist," she said, her tone light.

He groaned. What he didn't notice, however, was the faint blush on Momo's cheeks or the way her smile softened as she watched him.

...

Izuku stood up, his face still red from Momo's teasing. Uraraka, who had been watching the interaction from a short distance, tried to suppress the pang of sadness tugging at her chest. Her lips curled into a soft, bittersweet smile as she caught sight of how flustered he still was. A small part of her found his reactions endearing, though she didn't want to admit it.

"Midori!!!"

"Eh?" Izuku turned his head, but before he could process who was calling him, a blur of pink barreled into his chest. He staggered back, nearly losing his balance as two arms wrapped tightly around him.

"A-Ashido!?" he exclaimed, his voice cracking as he instinctively steadied them both.

Mina clung to him a moment longer than necessary, her face buried in his shoulder. Her heart was pounding in her chest, a feeling that both confused and overwhelmed her. She'd never been the type to get nervous or hesitate around others—especially not Midoriya. And yet, this strange tightness in her chest wouldn't go away.

When she finally pulled back, her usual grin felt shaky. She tried to play it cool, but the faint flush on her cheeks betrayed her. ""What does it look like? A congratulatory hug! You totally killed it, Midori."

Izuku blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Uh, thanks, I guess?" he said hesitantly, blushing slightly. His flustered expression only made her stomach flip. The butterflies in her stomach suddenly got her nervous. But then it also sank at the same time. As she thought back to Kendo.

Why was this so hard? Mina wasn't supposed to get all weird about this kind of thing. She was confident, bold—always the first to jump into action. But now, she felt like she was tiptoeing through unfamiliar territory, unsure of herself for the first time in ages.

Her gaze flickered briefly to the side, where Kendo was standing with a group of students. A lump formed in her throat. Kendo's going to confess. And what if... what if he likes her?

She forced herself to smile wider, but her hands were trembling. She clenched her fists behind her back, trying to push the thought away. 'No, stop it, Mina. You're not going to lose to her. Not like this... But what if you already have?'

"Ashido?" Izuku's voice snapped her out of her spiraling thoughts. His concerned expression made her chest tighten again.

"I'm fine!" she blurted, a little too quickly. "Seriously, don't worry about me. I just figured I'd save you from overthinking before the big event. By giving you something to think about instead." She said grinning punctuating her assets with her movements that made the boy blush as he's mind replayed her soft breast pressed against her chest.

"You know, like the awesome friend I am!"

Izuku's shoulders relaxed slightly, and he offered her a small smile his face crimson. "T-T-Thanks, Ashido. I guess I do overthink a lot, huh?"

"Uh-huh, a total worrywart." She laughed lightly, but it sounded hollow even to her ears.

As he smiled back at her, Mina felt a pang of guilt. She wanted to stay cheerful and teasing, to pretend everything was normal, but she couldn't shake the fear gnawing at her. She'd never really been in love before—not like this—and the idea of losing him to someone else terrified her.

But what scared her more was the possibility that she didn't even know how to fight for him.

"Hey, Midoriya," she said, her tone softening slightly. "Can you... just call me Mina from now on? It feels weird when you're all formal with 'Ashido' and stuff."

Izuku blinked, surprised by the sudden request. "Oh, uh, sure! I didn't mean to sound formal or anything, I just—"

"It's okay!" she interrupted, giving him a grin that was more genuine this time. "I just think it sounds... nicer, you know?"

He nodded, his own smile returning. "Alright... Mina."

The way he said her name sent a jolt through her chest. She quickly turned away to hide the blush creeping onto her face, waving a hand dismissively. "Cool! Anyway, just relax, okay? You've got this. I believe in you."

Izuku watched Mina's retreating figure, his cheeks still flushed as his heart raced in his chest.

"What was that all about?" Jirou's voice broke through his thoughts as she strolled up to him, her usual relaxed demeanor in place.

"Huh? Oh, um... I'm not really sure. I think she's just stressed out from everything that happened," Izuku said, still processing the interaction.

Jirou gave him a teasing grin. "Can't blame her, especially when someone keeps stealing the spotlight," she quipped, nudging him with her elbow.

Izuku blushed deeply, his voice stumbling over the words. "I-I didn't mean to! The Omnitrix keeps giving me the wrong alien, and I have to work with whatever I get."

Jirou raised an eyebrow, her tone dry. "You know, for the most powerful device in the universe, it seems to be a bit... screwy," she said with a smirk.

Izuku sighed, shoulders slumping. "I haven't even been able to get Fasttrack yet."

Jirou shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, honestly, if you did get Fasttrack, the pros wouldn't have noticed much anyway. You're supposed to show off what you can do, and Fasttrack would be too fast for anyone to even see you move."

Izuku looked down at the Omnitrix, his expression thoughtful. "Yeah... I guess you're right," he mumbled.

Just then, a punch to his shoulder made him jolt. Turning around, he saw Itsuka grinning at him.

"That's for scaring me! The mine strategy was insane!" she said, still smiling wide.

Izuku rubbed his shoulder sheepishly. "Yeah, but I almost lost to Iida," he admitted. "I wasn't sure if I used too much or too little power, and when Iida passed me, I thought I was done for."

Itsuka chuckled. "You pulled through, like you always do. Kind of jealous, honestly."

Izuku smiled, glancing at the rankings on the nearby screen. "Huh... I'm surprised so many 1-B students ended up behind us."

Jirou nodded, crossing her arms. "Some of them thought they'd be in the top 10," she said, shaking her head. "Like Monoma. That guy actually thought he could just copy someone's quirk and win. The guy's a total whackjob."

Itsuka rolled her eyes, her expression exasperated. "That idiot. Can't believe he's actually going through with it."

Just then, Momo and Uraraka approached, raising eyebrows at the conversation.

"Go through with what?" Momo asked, curiosity clear in her voice.

Before anyone could answer, they heard a voice dripping with arrogance. Turning, they saw Billy striding toward them, an air of superiority surrounding him.

Billy sneered, his voice dripping with condescension. "Izuku Midoriya, you..." He trailed off, shaking his head in mock disbelief. "It's honestly pathetic, Yaoyorozu, affiliating yourself with someone like him."

Izuku's eyes narrowed, his fists clenching in irritation. "Did he just call me an animal?"

Billy's smirk widened, clearly enjoying the discomfort he was causing. "You really don't care about your reputation, do you? I saw your little moment back there. You actually shared a limo with this... peasant."

The girls exchanged confused glances. "You two shared a limo?" one of them asked, her tone incredulous.

Billy's gaze shifted back to Izuku, contempt swirling in his eyes. "After I'm done with this, I'll make sure your reputation is salvaged. But trust me, Midoriya," he sneered, his voice sharp with malice, "you won't even make it to the third event. Not if I have anything to say about it." He turned on his heel, dismissing Izuku entirely as he scoffed. "The sooner you're out of the way, the better."

"Guess he made it through, too," Itsuka muttered, eyeing the boy as he glared at Izuku.

Izuku hunched over, rubbing his forehead in frustration. "Why does it feel like everyone wants to tear me apart?" he asked rhetorically, his voice tinged with exhaustion.

"What's his deal, anyway?" Kaminari asked, a confused frown on his face.

Tsuyu crossed her arms, observing the boy with narrowed eyes. "Why does he hate us so much? He seems really upset about mutants... or anyone with mutant characteristics." The boy shot them an even more venomous glare.

Iida stepped forward, his expression serious. "It's simple really. He views anyone with a quirk as inferior. After all, he's quirkless."

The revelation hit like a punch to the gut. Everyone's eyes widened. Izuku's heart sank, a feeling of guilt bubbling up. He knew firsthand how cruel the world could be to those without quirks, but hearing it so plainly made it feel even heavier.

"Okay, now I feel bad for giving him the stink eye," Jirou muttered, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Don't feel bad," Iida replied quickly. "While his circumstances might explain some of his behavior, it doesn't excuse being so rude."

"I agree," Midoriya said, his voice steady but empathetic. "Not having a quirk shouldn't make it okay to treat others like that."

"I know, but..." Kaminari trailed off, clearly conflicted. "I don't wanna be the bad guy, but he called Ojiro a monkey, so... Ugh!"

"He's not always so unpleasant," Momo spoke up, her voice softening a little. "He's done a lot to help the quirkless. He ensures that people who bully them are properly punished." She hesitated before continuing. "He can be... a little vindictive. Honestly, sometimes I feel bad about how far he goes."

"Vindictive is putting it mildly," Iida muttered under his breath.

Yaoyorozu nodded, looking thoughtful. "He also helped bring down an institution that was prejudiced against the quirkless. But I think part of it comes from wanting to prove that, even without a quirk, he still has power."

"Okay, so the snob-nosed kid's not all bad," Ashido said, folding her arms, though she was still skeptical.

Tsuyu shook her head. "He still insulted us, though. I don't like that."

"True," Iida said, his tone firm. "He's not beyond using blackmail or bribery to get what he wants."

"Yeah, he blackmailed a kid in my middle school," Yaoyorozu added with a sigh, clearly troubled by the memory. "If the boy didn't stay away from him... it didn't end well."

Iida's expression hardened. "Like father, like son," he muttered, as if remembering something dark.

Izuku's shoulders slumped in resignation. "And now he's coming after me." His voice was barely above a whisper. "Why does everyone always want a piece of me?"

Kendo gave Izuku a comforting pat on the back, trying to reassure him with a soft smile.

...

"Well, you came in first in the entrance exam, your quirk's basically a cheat code that gives you every power under the sun. Makes the rest of us feel kinda pointless, you know?" Kyouka said, her tone flat, though there was a hint of teasing in her voice. "And then there's that whole 'never-give-up' thing... kind of exhausting to watch, honestly."

Izuku shot her a glare, clearly irritated, but Kyouka just shrugged, unfazed. "Hey, it's true," she added with a slight smirk.

Izuku slumped, rubbing his temples. "Yeah, thanks for the reminder..."

He sighed heavily, his shoulders drooping in defeat. "At least things can't get any worse."

...

"The top 42 made it through to the next round. It's unfortunate for those who didn't make the cut, but don't worry! We've prepared other chances for you to shine. The real competition begins next! The press will be all over it! Give it your all!"

Bakugo growled low in his throat, still furious about falling for Izuku's trick and getting 4th place instead of 1st. His fists clenched, and his expression was one of barely contained rage.

Midnight swept her whip through the air, and the spinning wheel began to rotate at high speed, the colorful segments blurring as it spun.

"Now then, here's the second game. I already know what it is, but what could it be? What could it be? I just said it, and now here it is..."

The wheel finally slowed and landed on the words: Capture The Flag.

"Capture the flag! Now that's going to be easy." Denki said, his grin wide and confident.

Tsuyu tapped her chin thoughtfully, "It's not an individual event, so I wonder how it'll work..."

"The participants can form teams of two to five people as they wish. It's basically the same as a regular capture the flag, but the one difference is..." Midnight paused, taking a dramatic breath, "...based on the results of the last game, each person has been assigned a point value."

"A point-based system like the entrance exam, huh? That makes sense," Sato said, nodding in understanding.

"In other words, each team is worth different points depending on who's on the team!" Ochaco added.

"I see!" Mina exclaimed, her eyes lighting up as she understood the game.

"You guys don't hold back even though I'm talking, huh?!" Midnight snapped, flicking her whip with a sharp crack. "Yes, that's right! The points assigned go up by five, starting from the bottom. So 42nd place gets five points, 41st gets ten points..."

Izuku murmured to himself, "I see, so based on that, I should have 210 points—"

The familiar sharp pain suddenly sliced through his head, and he winced, rubbing his temple. His eyes shifted around the room as the pain grew, more intense this time.

Midnight's sadistic smile caught his attention.

"And the point value assigned to first place is..." Midnight's grin stretched wider, "Ten million!"

Izuku froze, confusion and panic flooding him. "T-Ten million?!" His voice cracked, eyes wide with disbelief, and the headache grew sharper, the sharp stab like a warning. His body instinctively tensed.

Monoma turned with a purple-haired boy beside him. "Really?"

The pain shot through him again, and his eyes darted to the girl with pink dreadlocks, grin when she saw him.

"So that means..." the boy began, his voice low, a dangerous realization forming.

"If you take down his team..." the pink-haired girl added, her voice heavy with implication,

'...your team is guaranteed in the finals.' They all thought.

Izuku's mind began to piece things together, the pieces clicking in a way that felt almost like a distant memory, one he couldn't quite place.

'Okay, it took me a while, but I finally figured out what this tingling is. I've been getting it for a while now... but it's awakened now, like I've been dreaming about. Mental note: the stabbing pain means something bad is about to happen. The stabbing pain means I'm in trouble. And it's happening right now.'

Izuku's head snapped up, and his heart raced as he saw what he hadn't noticed before: the others were looking at him, their eyes cold and hungry. The tension was thick, their gazes sharp, like predators eyeing their prey. And that prey... was him.

"That's right, it's the battle of the fittest. To overthrow those at the top!" Midnight's voice echoed, her words sharp as they cut through the air, the challenge hanging heavy.

Izuku's breath hitched as the pain in his head intensified, his grip tightening on his chest as memories from his middle school days flooded back, uninvited but persistent.

"You'll never hang with the best of the best, loser!"

"What a freak..."

"Worthless."

"DEKU!"

The words sliced through him like knives, each one sharper than the last. The harsh voices from the past reverberated in his mind, threatening to pull him back into that world where he was weak, unnoticed, and ridiculed.

He sucked in a deep breath, forcing his thoughts back to the present. His hand instinctively brushed over the Omnitrix, feeling the device tighten around his wrist. He could almost hear the subtle hum of energy beneath the surface, a reminder of the strength he now held.

Izuku raised his head, his expression flickering for a moment before settling into a nervous yet confident smile. "No. Things are different now. I'm not that same nervous, stuttering kid anymore... well, okay, sometimes I stutter, but..." He paused, a spark of determination lighting his eyes, "I know I can win this."

He cracked his knuckles, the sound sharp in the still air. His gaze locked onto the others, and for the first time, there was no hesitation in his stance.

Everyone could see it in the way his body shifted, in the set of his shoulders, in the fire that flickered in his eyes. Izuku was saying one thing, loud and clear, without a word: 'Bring it on.

...

Any feedback would be appreciated, whether it's complimenting the story, pointing something wrong, or just giving out a suggestion. Please follow, review, and favorite if you enjoy it, and want more.

...

Midoriya's arsenal

1. Heatblast.

2. Diamondhead

3. Goop.

4. Fasttrack

5.BrainStorm

6.FourArms

7. Stinkfly

8. Ghostfreak

9. Amphibian

10. Spider Monkey

...

Midoriya's Arsenal after One For All.

1. Cannonbolt.

2.Rath.

3. Swampfire.

4. Ditto

5. Water Hazard.

6.Upgrade.

7. Echo-Echo.

8.Big Chill

9. Armodrillo.(I might change that)