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!

27. Chapter 25: Capture The Flag! Part 1

"Midoriya."

Blue eyes, similar in hue, locked onto the green-haired boy. Endeavor had heard the rumors about this kid-rumors that made even seasoned heroes take notice. It was said that not only was this boy considered the fastest, but even All Might had admitted the kid surpassed him in speed, even in his prime. His physical strength was formidable as well, but what truly intrigued Endeavor were the whispers about his flames.

"They rival my own, huh?" Endeavor muttered under his breath, eyeing Midoriya. "Midoriya, if you're anything like your father, I know you'll bring out my son's flames."

Hawks raised an eyebrow. "Endeavor, giving Midoriya that nasty scowl? Looks like someone's already threatened."

Endeavor's flames spiked a little, irritation clear in his expression. "Tch... Don't mock me."

"You know," Hawks continued, leaning back casually, "the rumors also say the kid's flames are even hotter than yours."

Endeavor scoffed, his gaze turning hard. "They claim his flames vaporized a Zero Pointer's entire half-body. Those kinds of temperatures would burn any normal person alive."

"Well, hate to break it to you, Number 2," Miruko chimed in, crossing her arms with a grin, "but that kid is far from normal."

Endeavor clenched his fists, his flames flaring up again. "I don't care for your commentary, rabbit."

Miruko just smirked, unbothered. "I'm just saying it as it is."

Hawks, never one to miss a chance for mischief, added, "But you know, Endeavor, it's not just your son who seems to be holding back." He grinned slyly. "How does it feel knowing your son isn't even using your Quirk?"

Endeavor's gaze turned dangerously cold. "That's none of your concern." He turned to look at Midoriya, a dark scowl settling on his face. "But... you're right."

Miruko raised an eyebrow, her smirk growing wider. "Oh? So, I'm not the only one who noticed?"

Ryukyu, standing calmly nearby, nodded in agreement. "From his movements, it's clear he's restraining himself-holding back, especially when that green electricity sparks off his body."

...

Back with Izuku, he was being watched like a cornered prey animal.

"Bring it on," Izuku thought, bracing himself as hungry, determined gazes locked onto him from all directions. The expressions on their faces resembled a pack of lions stalking a lone gazelle.

Midnight took center stage, her voice echoing across the arena. "Now then, I will explain the rules of Capture the Flag. The time limit is fifteen minutes. Each team's flag is worth the total value of its members' points. Teams will aim to steal flags from others while defending their own. Stolen flags must be placed in your designated area to count. The more you steal, the harder it will be to protect them. And most importantly, even if your flag is stolen, you're not eliminated!"

Momo adjusted her glasses, her tone thoughtful. "Which means..."

"...since there are 43 participants, there will be around ten to twelve teams on the field at all times," Sato finished her thought.

"That's tough," Aoyama added, striking a contemplative pose.

"One strategy could be to let someone take your flag early so you can move more freely," Mina suggested, crossing her arms in thought.

Tsuyu hummed thoughtfully. "That might work, but it's hard to say without knowing how the points are split."

Midnight continued, her voice sharp. "During the game, you may use your quirks, but this is still Capture the Flag. Attacks that could seriously injure someone will result in a red card, and you will be removed immediately! Also, as long as your flag isn't planted in another team's zone, your points won't change. But if your points aren't in your designated area by the end, they won't count!"

"Dammit!" Bakugo growled, his frustration palpable.

"So, it'll be better to defend your flag while carefully planning how to steal others," Shishida concluded.

Midnight raised her hand, signaling to Present Mic, who pressed a large red button. Instantly, the ground began to shake violently.

"W-What's happening?!" Kirishima exclaimed as the ground shifted beneath their feet.

Massive platforms erupted from the ground, towering over the field as thick obstacles, including trees and fences, sprang up.

"W-Whoa," Itsuka murmured, staring at the ever-changing landscape in amazement.

Large team-designated zones appeared throughout the field, each about fifteen meters in diameter. But Izuku's heart sank when he spotted the largest, most noticeable zone right in the center, labeled in bold letters:

"HIGHEST TEAM ZONE!"

"Ah, come on," Izuku groaned, slumping his shoulders. His despair only deepened as the predatory stares around him grew more intense.

"So, the highest team starts in the center?" Sato mused, his hand cupping his chin as he glanced at Izuku with ill intentions.

"Makes them an easy target," Monoma sneered, his smirk practically dripping with malice.

Izuku groaned again, shoulders sagging further under the weight of their stares.

Barriers of trees and fences-easy enough to jump or climb-erupted around each designated zone. Once the field had fully transformed and the stands were pushed back, Midnight spoke again.

"Now that the arena is ready, here's the next step: once you've chosen your teams, you'll take your flag and pick a designated area. Remember, you only have fifteen minutes to strategize. Now, start!"

...

"The U.A. Sports Festival is less about testing how ready these kids are to be Heroes and more about simulating the kind of competition they'll face in the real world," Death Arms said, exhaling a cloud of smoke as he leaned back during his break. Along with the other Pro Heroes assigned as security for the event, he watched the prestigious festival unfold on the monitor in front of them.

"Huh? What are you talking about?" Mount Lady asked, raising a brow as she stretched lazily in her seat. She too was enjoying the rare downtime with her colleagues.

Death Arms blew another puff of smoke, prompting Mount Lady to wave her hand dramatically in front of her face. "Think about it," he continued. "In this world, with Hero Agencies cropping up everywhere, it's not just about saving people. To keep food on the table, you've got to stand out-and sometimes, that means stepping on others to get noticed. The obstacle course race? That was their first taste of it."

Mount Lady scrunched her nose as she moved a little further from him. "Doesn't that just make your heart ache? These are kids we're talking about!"

"What? You've got some nerve saying that," Kamui Woods cut in, narrowing his eyes. "I seem to recall you doing something similar when you debuted." His tone was sharp, the memory still fresh in his mind. Mount Lady's infamous debut had involved her swooping in at the last second, stealing the spotlight-and the credit-from him when he was about to finish apprehending a Villain.

Mount Lady's smirk was unapologetic. "Oh, stop being a big baby."

Kamui Woods muttered something under his breath about shameless attention seekers but decided to let it go.

"Anyway," Death Arms interrupted, trying to steer the conversation back. "Even with all that rivalry, there are plenty of times you've got to work together. Joint agency missions, sidekick coordination, all of that. It's not all dog-eat-dog."

Mount Lady tapped her chin, suddenly seeing the connection. "Oh, so it's kind of like Capture the Flag. Winning as a team means you all advance, so you've got to consider compatibility and quirks. It's give-and-take, right?"

"Exactly," Death Arms said with a nod.

Kamui Woods folded his arms, his gaze thoughtful. "It's good practice. Coordinating with sidekicks, training for combo moves with other agencies...''

Deatharms nodded, taking another drag from his cigarette. "These students are learning firsthand what it takes to survive in the Pro Hero world. It's rough, but better they face it now than get blindsided later."

Mount Lady sighed, leaning back against the couch. "Man, these kids really have it rough."

"You said it," Kamui agreed before smirking. "And let's not forget about that Midoriya kid. First place in the obstacle race, but now he's got a ten-million-point target painted square on his back. No one's going to want to team up with him."

Deatharms chuckled. "True, but you can tell he's the type to face a challenge head-on. If anyone's going to pull through, it's him."

"Care to bet on that?" Mount Lady said with a sly grin.

"Ha, I'll put 5000 yen on him winning the entire Sports Festival," Kamui said confidently.

"Alright, I'll bet on Endeavor's kid, Todoroki. He's got skill and a Quirk that's hard to beat," Mount Lady replied. "What about you, Deatharms?"

Deatharms paused, exhaling slowly as he considered. "Hmm, I think it's too early to decide, but if I had to, I'd put my money on Todoroki too. The kid's got talent, no doubt about it."

"Fine by me. More money for me when Midoriya proves you both wrong," Kamui said with a grin.

Mount Lady rolled her eyes but smirked. "Guess we'll see. Either way, it's going to be fun to watch these kids give it their all."

...

"We have 15 minutes to make our teams, and with the Omnitrix, I'm pretty compatible with anyone..." Izuku muttered to himself, twisting the dial of the Omnitrix. As he turned it clockwise, his forms began to shift, his focus intense. He raised his head, only to be struck by a realization.

"Okay, I-I'll just need..." His words trailed off as he looked around. Everyone around him was avoiding him like the plague, staying as far away as possible.

Izuku began to sweat buckets, his panic rising.

"Everyone is avoiding me because of my points!" he thought in absolute horror. Even as powerful as I am, nobody wants to make themselves a target!

Most of his classmates were flocking to the others who had placed well in the race, particularly Iida. His speed, which had nearly beaten Midoriya's, made him a magnet for attention. Izuku couldn't help but watch with envy as everyone turned to the one person who had almost outpaced him.

"Iida, you're definitely going to need me!" Sato exclaimed. "Speed plus strength equals an unbeatable combo!"

"With that speed, we can steal everyone's points without them noticing!" Hagakure added, her voice laced with excitement. "Plus, I can sneak up on people."

"Monami, you're going to need me if you want to look dazzling!" Aoyama chirped with his usual flair.

Izuku could only watch, his face streaked with comedic tears, as his classmates crowded around Iida. Others rushed toward Bakugou or Todoroki, but Iida, despite his strict rule-following nature, was still more approachable than the others.

Midoriya groaned in frustration, his voice filled with self-pity. "Oh man, I'm screwed."

What he didn't notice, though, was a certain earphone girl standing behind him. She yawned before speaking up. "So, who do you think will join us?"

Izuku's head snapped around, his eyes widening in surprise. "J-Jirou?! What are you doing here?!"

Kyoka crossed her arms, looking at him like he was the most obvious thing in the world. "What? Did you really think I was going to leave you hanging?" she asked bluntly.

Izuku blinked a few times, processing her words. The relief that washed over him was almost tangible, and he hesitated before speaking up. "W-Well, I wouldn't blame you if you did. You'd have a better opportunity with someone who doesn't have so many points... Oh, and also, Todoroki and Bakugou will probably be targeting me during the game. If you're with me, you'll be a target too, and-"

Before he could finish, Kyoka punched him lightly in the chest, a smirk playing on her lips. "And why the hell should I care about that? Bakugou and Todoroki can get some. Look, I'm joining you whether you like it or not."

"Jirou..." Izuku said, his voice trembling, his eyes filling with tears.

Seeing the waterworks beginning, Kyoka's eyes widened in panic. "Oh no, green, don't do this..."

Izuku couldn't hold it in anymore. The tears started to flow freely, and Kyoka groaned, trying to shield herself from the sudden deluge of emotion. She let out a resigned sigh. "...Well, now I'm all wet."

Izuku wiped his tears away, his face flushing in embarrassment. "Alright, we can have five people, so we just need three more."

Kyoka cupped her chin thoughtfully. "Well, technically, we don't need three more members, since you've got Echo Echo, Ditto..." she said, her eyes glinting as she teased him.

Izuku blinked in realization. "Oh, I kinda forgot about that." The weight of the situation lifted off his shoulders as he realized he didn't need to worry about forming a whole team.

Kyoka snickered, stifling a laugh. "You forgot your literal one-man army?" she teased, a smirk tugging at her lips.

Izuku looked sheepish, scratching the back of his head. "Heh, yeah... guess I did."

"But if you're still looking for teammates..." Kyoka added, gesturing toward Ashido and Uraraka, "those two might be up for it."

Izuku turned his gaze to the girls she pointed out, feeling the weight of his decision growing lighter. He still had a chance to form a team, and with Kyoka's support, he might just make it through.

...

Izuku walked nervously towards Mina and Uraraka, his heart racing. He knew they were friendly with him, but he couldn't help the anxiety creeping in. Off to the side, Ashido was chatting with Kirishima, looking carefree.

"M-Mina... U-Uraraka..." Izuku stuttered, then cleared his throat and spoke more clearly. "Do you mind joining my team?"

Ochako's face lit up at his question, her heart skipping a beat. She couldn't help but feel a flutter in her stomach, but it was immediately replaced by a thick wave of guilt. 'Why do I feel like this? I don't even...' feel that way, she told herself, trying to ignore the painful thudding of her heart. The feeling made her uneasy, but she pushed it down as best as she could.

Mina, too, had an excited grin, but it didn't last. The rush of joy was swiftly replaced by a sinking feeling in her chest. The guilt was undeniable, and it made her fidget with her hands.

"Sorry, Midori," came Ashido's immediate response, her voice laced with reluctance. Izuku's eyes widened in surprise, and he watched as she shifted her weight uncomfortably.

"Maybe I would've joined your team if you had a lower point value... but everyone's gunning for you," she added, avoiding his gaze. Izuku lowered his head slightly, sensing there was more to it.

The truth was, Mina had overheard that Kendo might ask him to join her team-something she could hardly ignore, especially after the glance she caught during Midnight's explanation.

The thought of Kendo being on the same team as Izuku made Mina feel like she'd be out of place, like she'd be standing in the way of something that could happen between them.'Why does it hurt so much?' she gulped.'Is this how it feels not being with the guy you really like?' Mina thought to herself.

Izuku turned to Uraraka, still hopeful. His eyes widened in sudden pain, and he winced, feeling a sharp stab in his head. Before he could speak, he turned and saw Todoroki walking toward them, accompanied by Iida and Tokoyami.

"N-No way..." Izuku murmured under his breath, dread creeping into his chest.

"Sorry, Dekiru..." Uraraka's voice was apologetic, but her words struck Izuku like a cold breeze. Her gaze shifted downward as she explained, her voice trembling slightly.

'It isn't about his point value about the points...It's just easier this way,' Ochako thought, clutching her chest as her heart ached. 'Not because of him, of course... I just don't want to face it.' The thought of spending more time with Izuku made everything feel more complicated.

She glanced over at Itsuka for reassurance, but the more she thought about it, the more conflicted she felt. It's not because of Kendo... Ochako reminded herself, though the thought of her friend possibly dating Izuku made her chest tighten.

'If she wants to date him, that's her choice. It's not like that it bothers me.' She quickly shoved aside any feelings that tried to surface. 'We're friends, and that's how things should stay. And... I'm okay with that...' she told herself as the she felt like she had just ripped out her own heart.

'Being around him more just makes it harder to keep things normal.'

Looking back at Izuku, Ochako gave him a soft but firm smile. "Remember in the entrance exam?" she asked, seeing his confused look. "You said you would like to work with me but felt like you couldn't stand by me. Honestly, I think I was trying to rely on you back then. But like you, I want to get through these trials without you."

Her words hung in the air for a moment, and Iida, hearing her, wiped away a tear, overwhelmed. "So noble..."

...

Izuku nodded. "Alright," he said in understanding, his voice a little more steady now. Both girls felt as though they'd just kicked a puppy, guilt quickly settling in.

Mina, ever the brave one, felt her heart pounding like a drum. Without thinking too much about it, she moved to Izuku's side, got on her tiptoes, and leaned in. She pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his cheek. The moment felt electric, and she pulled back, her breath slightly shaky.

Itsuka, who had been approaching alongside Pony, widened her eyes in surprise at the scene, her mouth slightly agape.

Even Ochako's eyes widened in surprise, and Jirou, who had been standing nearby, seemed just as shocked.

Mina pulled her lips away from Izuku's cheek, and her expression was different from before. Her usual teasing smile was replaced with something softer, more sincere. Her cheeks flushed a soft lilac, and her smile was genuine-she was completely smitten with him.

"Good luck, Midori," Ashido said, her voice a little more bashful than usual, her own face turning a similar shade of lilac. She gave him one last glance and a small, playful wink before she turned to join Kirishima, walking away with him.

Izuku, still stunned, found himself completely lost for words. His usual stammering was a jumble of nonsense. "Bu... Uh... Wu..."

Mina's giggle echoed in the air as she turned to leave, her heart still racing from the boldness of what she had just done.

Uraraka, still standing there, blinked out of her daze as Iida nudged her gently. "Uraraka, we should leave too," he suggested, his tone polite but urging.

"O-Oh, right! Uh... Bye, Dekiru," Ochako said, her face flushed a deep red as she waved awkwardly. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she couldn't help but feel conflicted. The memory of Mina's kiss lingered in her mind, making it hard to focus on anything else.

...

"I..." Izuku stuttered, still frozen in place, blinking as he tried to process what had just happened. The sensation of Mina's kiss lingered on his cheek, a warmth he couldn't shake off. His mind was in a complete haze, struggling to make sense of everything.

Before he could gather his thoughts, two voices cut through the fog.

"Midoriya, let's team up," Kendo and Pony said in unison, their voices firm but friendly.

Izuku blinked a few more times, still lost in the aftermath of the kiss, the warmth on his cheek like a ghost he couldn't shake. His mind was a blur.

"Uh... Midoriya?" Kendo's voice brought him back, a little more concern now in her tone.

"Is he alright?" Pony added, her voice carrying a hint of amusement mixed with genuine concern.

Jirou clicked her tongue in irritation, snapping her fingers in front of Izuku's face. "Seriously, a girl gets you like this with just a kiss?" she grumbled, an exasperated look crossing her face. "You're really gonna lose your mind over that?"

Izuku's eyes were wide, still trying to process everything, but before he could respond, Pony's voice rang out again with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Oh, I've got an idea," she said, taking a deep breath. "Issue 25 of All Might wasn't just mid."

Izuku gasped, his face a mixture of disbelief and horror as he turned toward Pony, eyes wide. "Pony, how could you say such lies?!" he practically shrieked, shaking his head in shock.

Pony burst into giggles, clearly enjoying the chaos she'd caused. "Kidding!" she said between laughs, her tone lighthearted.

Izuku let out a long, relieved sigh, his shoulders slumping slightly in relief. "Wait, what are you guys doing here?" he asked, still confused by the sudden turn of events.

Kendo and Pony exchanged a quick glance, their expressions serious. "Let's team up," Kendo said with a determined nod, and Pony mirrored the gesture, her eyes shining with excitement.

Izuku's emotions seemed to shift from confusion to overwhelmed joy. Tears began to form in his eyes, and before he could stop them, they poured out, cascading down his cheeks like a waterfall. He quickly wiped them away, but they kept coming. "K-Kendo, P-Pony... a-are you s-sure you want to join m-me and my stupid points?!" His voice cracked with disbelief.

Kendo smiled warmly at him, her voice softening. "Well, we don't usually team up since we're in different classes, but I thought this would be a great opportunity. Plus, we're friends, right? And that's what friends are for," she said, her words comforting, though she couldn't help but wonder if Izuku had some sort of tear-related quirk. But considering she had seen him transform into a 12-foot-tall, four-armed behemoth, it wasn't completely out of the realm of possibility.

Pony grinned and raised a fist in the air. "Plus, you always seem to get out of everything, and you always win. Joining you is basically a guarantee!" she said, her voice full of enthusiasm and confidence.

Izuku chuckled nervously, wiping his tears away. "I think you're overestimating me," he said with a sheepish smile, his voice still wavering slightly.

"Okay, so that's four of us," Kyouka said, but before she could continue, the sound of footsteps interrupted her. Someone cleared their throat, demanding their attention.

"Excuse me?" Momo's voice rang out, sharp and clear, as she stepped forward, catching the attention of the group.

"Midoriya, please allow me to join your team," Momo said, her voice steady but a slight trace of hesitation lingered in the air, something that didn't go unnoticed by the others.

Izuku blinked in surprise. He had assumed Momo would choose a team that ensured victory. "I thought you'd pick a team that guarantees a win, not one with the biggest target on its back," he pointed out, confusion in his voice.

"Yeah, I saw Todoroki talking to you earlier. I thought you were already on his team," Jirou added, raising an eyebrow.

Momo looked down briefly, her gaze softening as her fingers instinctively clasped over her chest. When she spoke again, her voice held more confidence. "Yes," she said, firm but gentle.

"I'm sure," she repeated, her tone carrying a newfound strength that caught everyone's attention. The group grew quiet, sensing the resolve in her words.

"I have a solid plan that can guarantee victory," Momo continued, her eyes locking with Izuku's. There was something sincere and determined in her gaze, but also a quiet trust that seemed to go beyond just strategy. "Please, allow me to join you."

Izuku, taken aback but genuinely moved by her confidence, nodded. "We'd be honored to have you."

Itsuka smiled and gave a thumbs-up. "Yeah, sounds great."

"I've got no problem with it," Jirou added, her expression warm.

Pony nodded eagerly in agreement.

Momo exhaled in relief, a small, almost imperceptible smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Thank you," she said softly, though her voice was still strong with determination.

Izuku, his smile genuine, gestured to her. "So, what's your plan?"

Momo's expression shifted into a serious one, her thoughts clearly at work. "Well, everyone will be gunning for you, Midoriya. You're in the top placement even without the million points. Everyone has a reason to come after you."

Izuku raised an eyebrow before realising how many people were gunning for him."Huh now that I think about it I have a lot coming for me."

Momo gave nod."So, we'll give them what they want."

"Huh?" They all responded.

...

Shinso was about to go over and control someone when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Monoma, standing with Billy Billions and Kamakiri.

"We have a proposal for you," Monoma said, his usual smug grin in place.

Shinso raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "A proposal?"

"I saw you during the obstacle course," Monoma continued, his voice lowering slightly, "I think your quirk could be very helpful. Do you want to join our team?"

Shinso paused, sizing them up. He hadn't expected this approach. "What's in it for me?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Simple," Monoma said, leaning in a little closer. "We get your quirk on our side, and we'll give you the chance to show what you're really capable of. You'll have a spot in this competition-one that could actually get you noticed."

Shinso weighed his options. He wasn't one to easily trust, but this could be the opening he'd been waiting for.

...

Meanwhile, Todoroki stood in front of his newly assembled team, his usual stoic demeanor unshaken. "I chose you four for a couple of reasons," he began, his voice calm and measured. "Iida, your speed will allow us to steal points efficiently and bring them back to our base without being caught. Tokoyami, your quirk gives us both defensive and offensive power, which is ideal for protecting our flag while we go on the offensive. Uraraka, I chose you because Midoriya will likely make this an aerial battle, and your quirk will be key in supporting that strategy."

The others nodded thoughtfully, processing his logic. It became clear that Todoroki had carefully considered every angle. If Midoriya chose to take the battle to the skies, they would need to be prepared.

"If Midoriya decides to make this a battle in the sky, no one will be able to catch him or challenge him, except maybe Bakugou," Iida observed, his eyes narrowing in focus. "That would give him a massive advantage."

"Exactly," Todoroki affirmed. "Not only will Midoriya be able to take points easily, but his flight ability surpasses anyone else's. No one else can compete with him in the air-at least not to the extent that he can."

Tokoyami, standing with his arms crossed, added, "In addition to Midoriya's mobility, the fact that no one else has flight abilities like his means we need to rely on strategy and coordination. We can't let him get the upper hand."

Uraraka nodded, the wheels in her mind turning. "So, you want me to make you float so you can challenge Midoriya in the air?" she asked, glancing at Todoroki.

"That, and with Iida's speed, we can immobilize opponents before they even realize what's happening," Todoroki explained. "I can freeze them, and then we'll easily collect their points."

"But if you float in the air, you won't have stable footing," Uraraka pointed out, her brow furrowing in concern.

"And that's where I come in!" A voice interrupted, and the group turned to see a girl with pink hair, her grin wide as she pulled out a large suitcase. The group stared as she opened it, revealing an assortment of gadgets and gear designed for mobility and support.

Iida leaned toward Todoroki, lowering his voice. "Are you sure about her?" he whispered, skeptical of the girl's sudden appearance.

Todoroki merely nodded, his expression unwavering. "I had asked Yaoyorozu, but she seems to have chosen her side already," he replied quietly, his eyes subtly flicking toward Midoriya's team, where Momo had been conversing with them. "This was the next best option."

Iida nodded, processing the information. "I see."

Todoroki then turned to face the team more fully, his voice growing serious. "One final thing," he said, his tone low but intense. "In battle, I never use my flames unless absolutely necessary."

The air seemed to grow colder as his words hung in the air, a chill running down everyone's spines.

...

""ALL RIGHT, YOU MADE YOUR TEAMS? I'M NOT GONNA ASK IF YOU'RE READY OR NOT! NOW, LET'S GO! COUNTING DOWN TO THE BRUTAL BATTLE ROYALE! THREE..."

"We're aiming for..." Bakugo growled, cracking his knuckles with an audible pop.

"TWO!"

"...one thing," Todoroki said coolly, finishing Bakugo's thought.

"ONE!"

"START!" Midnight's voice echoed across the arena, signaling the beginning of the chaos.

As soon as the second event began, a freezing wave of cold air swept across the battlefield, silencing the cheers for a moment. All eyes turned toward Todoroki's zone. His team's designated area had been completely engulfed in a glacial fortress of towering, razor-sharp ice formations, some stretching nearly twenty feet into the air. The jagged spires reflected the sunlight, casting a blinding, otherworldly glow over the field.

It was like a frozen tomb.

"H-Holy crap..." Awase stammered, his voice barely above a whisper.

Tsuburaba gulped audibly, his face pale. "T-Talk about one hell of a defense..."

Even Kaminari, usually quick with a joke, could only gape. "Todoroki's really giving the pros a show here," he muttered, half in awe, half in fear.

But the moment of stunned silence shattered as a thunderous BOOM erupted from Bakugo's zone. The sound of explosions filled the air as he launched himself forward with murderous intent, his eyes locked on Midoriya like a predator zeroing in on its prey.

"DEKU!!" Bakugo roared, his fury reverberating through the arena.

The other teams snapped out of their stupor, adrenaline kicking in as they rushed toward the center of the field, where Midoriya's team stood.

"It's a full-on battle for the 10 million points!" Tetsutetsu bellowed, his metallic arms gleaming under the stadium lights as he charged ahead.

Izuku stood calmly on a tall pillar in his team's zone, the 10-million-point flag fluttering dramatically above him.

"You're sure about this, Yaoyorozu?" Izuku asked, glancing over his shoulder at her.

Momo nodded firmly, a determined gleam in her eyes. "Trust me, Midoriya!" she declared, her voice unwavering.

Izuku nodded, slamming his hand onto the Omnitrix's faceplate as a familiar green flash erupted from his wrist. Anticipation rippled through the crowd like a tidal wave. Participants froze mid-step, spectators clung to the edges of their seats, and cameras zoomed in, capturing every detail of the transformation.

The flash of light faded, revealing a small, white, humanoid figure standing atop the pillar. Echo-Echo, standing at just 0.35 meters tall, emitted a faint, otherworldly hum.

Present Mic's jaw dropped before he exploded with excitement, his voice booming through the arena speakers. "YEEEEEEAAAAHHHH! IZUKU MIDORIYA TRANSFORMS AGAIN, SHOWING US ANOTHER NEW FORM! AND OH, I KNOW WHAT THIS ONE DOES, BUT I'M NOT SPOILING THE SURPRISE!!!"

The stadium erupted into chaos, the deafening roar of cheers and gasps filling the air as the audience went wild. Cameras zoomed in on Echo-Echo, capturing every angle of the alien's small but commanding form.

On the battlefield, Kamakiri shook off his initial shock and charged forward with a snarl. "So what if you transformed?! We're still taking that flag!"

"Like hell we're losing!" Kaibara shouted, spinning his arms with a determined grin as he followed Kamakiri's lead.

"Those 10 million points are mine, Midoriya!" Setsuna called, her voice confident as her body began to split into floating segments, darting toward Izuku's zone.

...

Echo-Echo chuckled, his voice echoing ominously as he began to split into multiple identical copies. Each clone leapt from the pillar in perfect synchronization, forming a wide perimeter around their zone. Despite the growing army of duplicates, one Echo-Echo remained seated atop the pillar, maintaining his vantage point as the others prepared for the oncoming assault.

"Yaoyorozu, are you ready?" one of the Echo-Echo clones called out urgently, scanning the approaching waves of students.

Jirou adjusted her headphones, Pony secured hers firmly, Itsuka settled hers in place, and Momo, donning her own pair with confident composure, gave a resolute thumbs-up. Their expressions were unified: focused and determined.

"Wall of..." chorused the Echo-Echoes in unison, their voices building as they collectively inhaled. Then, with a thunderous yell that seemed to shake the very foundation of the arena, they bellowed:

"...SOUND!"

A cacophony of sonic waves erupted from the mouths of the Echo-Echoes, the sheer force rippling outward like an unstoppable tsunami. The stadium trembled violently under the assault, the air itself vibrating with devastating intensity. The charging students froze mid-step, clutching their ears as the relentless sound assaulted their senses.

Present Mic practically leapt from his seat in the commentator's booth, clutching the microphone tightly. "AND THERE IT IS! MIDORIYA'S ECHO-ECHO UNLEASHES THE WALL OF SOUND! OH MAN I CAN'T EVEN HEAR THE CROWD!!""

The stadium erupted in chaos. Spectators winced, some covering their ears as the sonic onslaught reverberated even into the stands. Miruko visibly flinched, her heightened hearing making her acutely aware of the attack's devastating power.

On the field, students struggled to stay upright. Many clutched their ears in agony, their faces contorted as the sound waves seemed to shake their very bones.

Despite the unrelenting onslaught, a few determined students tried to push through, their resolve shining through the chaos. Shishida roared as he charged forward, his beastly form digging into the ground, creating trenches with each step. Shoji shielded his ears with his arms, forcing himself to advance.

Seeing this, the Echo-Echoes didn't hesitate. Electricity crackled ominously around them as they tapped into 2% of One For All's power. Their sound intensified to a dangerously high frequency, and the ground seemed to quake from the sheer pressure. The advancing students were flung backward like ragdolls, tumbling through the air before crashing to the ground in disarray.

Shishida and Shoji, still resisting, gritted their teeth as they were forced to retreat, their feet carving deep grooves in the earth.Bakugo, descending from a high-flying explosion, was struck mid-air by the amplified wave. He crashed to the ground in a heap, clutching his ears with a furious snarl.

The battlefield was a scene of utter devastation. The sound waves finally subsided as the Echo-Echoes quieted, their sonic barrage leaving the arena in stunned silence. Students lay sprawled across the field, groaning and attempting to recover, while a faint hum of vibration lingered in the air.

In the stands, spectators exchanged astonished looks.

"That... was insane," someone whispered.

"I don't even know how you counter that!" another murmured.

"Midoriya's team just leveled the playing field. Literally!"

As the Echo-Echoes regrouped, they sprinted back toward the original clone still seated on the pillar. With One For All enhancing their speed, they merged back into a single form, their movements seamless. Echo-Echo touched the Omnitrix dial, and with a flash of green light, Izuku returned, standing tall on the pillar.

The girls removed their headphones, visibly impressed but focused. Izuku, undeterred, pressed the Omnitrix button once again, the faceplate shooting up as he turned the dial.

"Todoroki's opening move was impressive," Izuku said, his voice calm and steady, yet carrying an undeniable edge. "But we can do that too."

With a decisive slam, he activated the Omnitrix. A bright green flash engulfed the field, its intensity drawing gasps from the audience. As the light faded, Diamondhead stood in his place, his crystalline form gleaming under the sunlight like a living monument.

The crowd erupted once more, some pointing excitedly while others leaned forward in anticipation.

"We've seen that form before, but what's he going to do with it now?"

Present Mic's voice boomed with uncontained excitement. "YOOO, THIS IS WHAT WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR! MIDORIYA BRINGS OUT DIAMONDHEAD, AND YOU KNOW HE'S GOT SOMETHING BIG PLANNED! KEEP YOUR EYES ON THIS, PEOPLE-IT'S ABOUT TO GET REAL!"

...

Diamondhead rolled his neck, the sharp, jagged edges of his crystalline form grinding faintly against each other. His glowing green body reflected the sunlight, the facets catching the light like a collection of jagged emeralds.

He clenched his crystalline fists before slamming one into the ground with a deafening BOOM. For a moment, nothing happened, the silence stretching just long enough to make the students pause.

Then the earth groaned beneath them. A deep, rumbling quake spread outward, causing everyone to stumble as towering crystals exploded upward from the ground. The massive formations ripped through the terrain, jagged and imposing, creating an impenetrable barrier that encircled the area. Each shard shimmered with an almost otherworldly brilliance, their edges sharp enough to make even the most fearless hesitate.

As the tremors subsided, Diamondhead rose, pulling his crystalline fist from the ground. He surveyed his handiwork, his glowing, faceted form towering among the newly-formed barriers. Kyouka whistled, walking up with an impressed smirk. "Now that's impressive," she said, patting the alien's rigid back. Her hand met the cool, smooth surface with a faint metallic clink.

Momo stepped forward, her eyes scanning the enormous crystalline structures. "Are you certain they won't be able to break through?" she asked, her tone cautious.

Before Diamondhead could answer, Present Mic's voice boomed over the speakers. "AND MIDORIYA SHOWS AN UNBELIEVABLE DISPLAY OF POWER! THESE CRYSTALS ARE PRACTICALLY INDESTRUCTIBLE! I DON'T THINK CEMENTOSS IS GONNA BE TOO HAPPY ABOUT THIS ONE!"

Bakugou scoffed, his explosive frustration boiling over. "Useless Deku!" he barked before launching himself at the barrier.

A barrage of explosions erupted from his palms, each blast slamming into the crystals with thunderous force. Smoke and sparks flew with every hit, the shockwaves rippling outward and causing the ground to tremble.

Everyone watched in tense silence as Bakugou gave everything he had, sweat dripping from his brow and his arms trembling from the strain. He blasted backward with one final explosion, panting heavily as the smoke cleared.

But when the dust settled, the crystals stood as pristine as ever, not a single scratch marring their surface. Bakugou's smirk vanished in an instant.

"Whoa, no way," Tsuburaba muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief.

"Not even a dent," Kirishima said, his grin widening as he cracked his knuckles.

Beside him, Tetsutetsu mirrored the motion, both boys wearing cocky smirks. "Indestructible, huh? Let's see about that," they said in unison.

With a roar, the two charged forward, their arms transforming-one into solid steel and the other into unbreakable stone. They swung simultaneously, their twin punches colliding with the crystals in a resounding CRACK.

The result was immediate-and humiliating. Both boys recoiled, clutching their now-cracked knuckles, their faces twisted in pain.

"Ow, ow, ow!" Tetsutetsu winced. "That's way tougher than it looks!"

Kirishima shook his head, forcing a grin through the pain. "Okay, that's definitely manly, but still... ow."

Bakugou growled, his temper flaring. "RACCOON EYES! MELT THIS THING NOW!"

"It's Mina Ashido, you jerk!" Mina snapped, storming toward the barrier. She pressed her hands against the cool, crystalline surface, unleashing a torrent of sizzling acid. For a moment, it seemed to work-the air filled with the sound of hissing. But then Mina yelped, pulling her hands back. Her palms were red and raw, the acid having splashed back onto her skin.

Diamondhead gave the barrier a sharp knock, the sound echoing like ringing steel. "Does that answer your question?" he asked, his glowing green eyes narrowing slightly.

Everyone stared in stunned silence. The crystals remained untouched, as flawless as when they first erupted.

Bakugou's fury boiled over. "I thought you could melt stuff! If you can't even do that right, what good are you?!"

Mina rounded on him, her face red with anger. "Oh yeah? You couldn't break it either! So if I'm useless, what does that make you, huh?!"

Bakugou stammered, his retort dying in his throat. All he could do was growl in frustration, glaring at the barrier as if sheer willpower could make it crumble.

"C'mon, Midobro!" Kirishima called out, shaking his injured hand. "This isn't manly at all!"

"Yeah, show some spirit and come fight us face-to-face!" Tetsutetsu added, wincing as he flexed his cracked knuckles.

"We're not men!" Kyouka snapped, shooting the two a glare.

Their faces flushed as they remembered their entire team-well, almost their entire team-consisted of girls.

"And shouldn't you be showing your 'manliness' by breaking through yourselves?" Kendo chimed in, her arms crossed.

"You'll never accomplish anything if all you do is complain," Momo added, shaking her head.

"Yeah, stop whining and deal with it already!" Pony shouted.

Kirishima and Tetsutetsu's faces turned red, their embarrassment bubbling over into manly tears. "They're right," Kirishima said solemnly.

"They're more manly than both of us combined," Tetsutetsu added, his voice heavy with shame.

The four girls deadpanned, sweatdropping at the sight.

Diamondhead wanted to protest, but there were more girls on the team, so he felt he couldn't say.

...

"Juzo Honenuki's voice rang out with calm confidence. "I got this."

The crystals began to soften under Juzo's Quirk, transforming from rigid indestructibility to malleable sludge. Sensing the opening, Shishida roared and charged forward. But before he could get far, Kendo's massive hand stopped him in his tracks, gripping his shoulder firmly.

"Midoriya, go!" she commanded, her sharp tone cutting through the chaos.

From within the crystalline structure, a blur of green lightning erupted. Bakugou, seeing an opportunity, prepared to blast himself into the breach. But his advance was abruptly halted as two familiar white soles planted themselves squarely on his face. The unexpected force sent him tumbling backward, his body rolling across the ground.

"WHAT THE HELL, DEKU?!" Bakugou roared, rage crackling from his palms as he shot to his feet.

Midoriya didn't answer. Instead, he used Bakugou's face as a springboard, leaping high into the air with One For All crackling around him. His trajectory carried him to the very top of the crystalline structure he had formed earlier. Clinging to his hand like a trophy was the 10 million points flag, its fabric fluttering in the wind.

"You want this flag?" Midoriya taunted, twirling the pole like a bo staff before slamming it into a crack within the crystal, anchoring it securely. The students below stared up at him in surprise, their determination sparking anew.

Without hesitation, Midoriya spun the Omnitrix's dial, slamming it down with purpose. A blinding green flash erupted, engulfing him, and when it cleared, his form had shifted.

Standing there was Spidermonkey-a blue, monkey-like alien with lean, muscular limbs and four arms. His sleek blue fur gleamed in the sunlight, dark blue patterns cutting across his chest and limbs. Two glowing green pairs of eyes scanned the crowd below, calculating their movements. The Omnitrix symbol sat proudly on his chest as his striped tail flicked behind him.

"You're going to have to take it from me," Spidermonkey declared, his voice filled with a confidence that was rare for Izuku.

Kirishima smirked, hardening his arm with a sharp crack. "Midoriya, do you really think you can take us all on?"

Spidermonkey crouched low, his tail curling behind him like a spring coiling in anticipation. His glowing eyes gleamed as emerald electricity sparked across his alien body. The ground trembled slightly from the shockwave of his sudden energy.

"The real question is..." Spidermonkey said, his four arms tensing as the surge of energy caused dust to swirl around him. His voice lowered, confidence dripping from every word.

"Can all of you take me?"

The battlefield stilled for a fraction of a second before chaos erupted. Spidermonkey didn't wait for an answer. With a burst of alien agility, he leapt into the fray, a blue streak against the chaos.

Kirishima swung at him first, but Spidermonkey effortlessly flipped over the attack, using Kirishima's hardened shoulder as a platform to springboard into the air. Twisting mid-leap, he shot a webline from his tail, snagging Shishida as the beast-man charged toward him.

The momentum yanked Shishida into an uppercut, Spidermonkey's powerful fist slamming into his jaw. Before the burly student could recover, Spidermonkey vaulted beneath him, using his tail to sling another web line. With a fierce tug, Shishida was hurled into a tree with enough force to shake the branches.

Shishida groaned as he stood, cracking his neck. "You're going to regret that."

Spidermonkey paused mid-motion, groaning inwardly as his mind flashed to a memory. "I can't believe Pony convinced me to say that! It made me sound like such a... ugh."

Before he could finish his thought, a stabbing pain shot through his skull. Danger Sense! The sharp, instinctual alert forced Spidermonkey into action, and he leapt into the air just as the ground beneath him softened into mud. His tail shot out a webline, anchoring him to the top of a tree. Hanging upside-down, he scanned the area, his four eyes locking onto Juzo crouched on the ground with one hand pressed into the mud.

"Sorry about this!" Spidermonkey called out before firing a web straight at Juzo's face. The sticky substance splattered across Juzo's head, momentarily blinding him. Spidermonkey yanked the webline, sending Juzo stumbling into his own mud pit. The alien winced. "Really sorry about that!"

Another sharp jolt from Danger Sense pulled his attention to the ground as vines erupted toward him. He backflipped out of their reach, twisting gracefully in midair. His instincts screamed again-this time from behind. Turning just in time, he saw Bakugou hurtling toward him, explosions crackling violently in his hands.

Spidermonkey leapt over Bakugou with a fluid flip, firing a webline mid-air. The sticky string caught Bakugou's arm, and with a fierce yank, Spidermonkey sent him flying into the tangle of vines. They wrapped around Bakugou's limbs, restraining him as he thrashed and screamed in rage.

"YOU DAMN MONKEY!" Bakugou bellowed, struggling against the vines.

Present Mic's voice boomed across the arena, filled with unrestrained excitement.

"YOOOO, DID YA SEE THAT? Midoriya-er, Spidermonkey-just flipped over Bakugou like it was NOTHING! And OH SNAP, he's using that tail of his to web Bakugou straight into Ibara's vines! THAT'S WHAT I CALL TEAMWORK! Bakugou is NOT happy, folks! Looks like the King of Boom just got dethroned by the King of the Jungle!"

...

Itsuka looked at Midoriya with a determined look her heart beating in her chest. She clenched her fist. Her mind recalled the USJ attack where she had left him to fight the Nomu all by himself, she clutched her chest.'I'm not going to let you fight alone.'

"I'm going to help him!" Itsuka said cracking her knuckles as she approached Pony. The three other girls looked surprised.

"Pony do mind using your horns to drop me off in the battlefield." Kendo said a determined look on her face.

"H-Huh?" Momo asked in confusion.

Itsuka clutched her chest."I-I don't want him to fight alone okay? Plus this a team game we should be working as team."

The three girls saw her point before giving a determined look and nodding.

"I'm going with you." Jirou said as she put on her speaker boots made by one Momo Yaoyorozu."Yaomomo you and Pony stay here." Jirou said as Pony shot out two horns both girls leapt on the horns.

"Ready you two?" Pony asked. Jirou and Itsuka gave nod before they were shot over the crystal sharp formations.

...

Itsuka glanced toward Midoriya, her fists clenching at her sides as her heart pounded in her chest. The memory of the USJ attack resurfaced vividly in her mind-the moment she'd left him behind to face the Nomu all by himself. Her hand instinctively clutched at her chest, guilt mingling with resolve. I'm not going to let him fight alone again.

"I'm going to help him!" she declared, cracking her knuckles and stepping forward with determination.

"Help him?" Pony asked, tilting her head in confusion as her horns twitched slightly.

The other three girls exchanged surprised glances before Momo broke the silence. "Why now? Midoriya seems to have things under control."

Itsuka took a deep breath, her voice steady but filled with emotion. "I-I don't want him to face all of this alone, okay? This is a team game. We're supposed to be working together, not leaving one person to carry the weight."

Momo and Jirou exchanged a look before nodding in understanding. "You're right," Momo admitted with a small smile. "Let's help him."

"I'm coming with you," Jirou said, pulling on her speaker boots, a piece of gear crafted by Momo herself. She turned to their class's resident American. "Pony, can you use your horns to drop us into the battlefield?"

"H-Huh?" Pony stammered, her wide eyes blinking in surprise. Her Japanese wasn't perfect, she had gotten better but she still needed a second to process what Jirou was asking. "Oh! You want me to shoot you over there?"

"Yes, exactly," Itsuka said, with a nod. "Can you do it?"

Pony nodded, her usual timidness replaced with focus as two of her horns detached from her head and hovered in midair. "Okay, get ready!" she said, her voice a mix of determination and slight nervousness.

Both Itsuka and Jirou climbed onto the curved horns, bracing themselves. Pony glanced at them one last time. "Are you two sure about this?"

"Absolutely," Jirou said, giving a thumbs up. "Let's go."

"Yeah, let's do it!" Itsuka added, her eyes blazing with resolve.

With a slight grunt of effort, Pony launched her horns with incredible speed. The girls soared over the sharp, glimmering crystalline formations below, the wind whipping through their hair as they held on tightly.

"Hang on!" Pony shouted after them, her voice filled with both encouragement and worry.

Jirou glanced at Itsuka mid-flight, a small smirk on her face. "I hope you know what you're doing."

Itsuka gave a determined nod, her eyes fixed on the battlefield ahead. "I do. I won't let him down this time."

...

Spidermonkey swerved past Ojiro's tail attack, his body flowing effortlessly like a well-oiled machine.

The boy's blank expression remained unchanged, his eyes vacant and unfocused like he wasn't even there.

"Ojiro are you okay?"

But his voice was drowned out by the overwhelming chaos around him. Danger Sense suddenly flared to life, the familiar sharp stab of pain shooting through his skull.

Without thinking, he pushed off the ground with his three-toed feet, launching himself sideways in a fluid, acrobatic twist. He narrowly dodged a brilliant Navel Laser from Aoyama, the bright beam slicing through the air where he had just been.

Spidermonkey caught a glimpse of Aoyama again from the corner of his eye-the same vacant expression.

There wasn't time to worry about it now; the situation was escalating fast. Blades erupted from Kamakiri's arms, sharp and deadly slicing through the air like a storm of razors.

Spidermonkey's heightened reflexes allowed him to evade the first blade, but the second one grazed his side, leaving a thin cut along his fur.

Pain flared in his head again-Danger Sense screamed at him. His eyes snapped to the charging figures of Sato and Shishida, their monstrous strength and speed crashing toward him like freight trains.

His body was already preparing to leap into the air when another Navel Laser shot overhead, forcing him back down to the ground just as the two barreled toward him.

"Raa!" Itsuka's voice rang out, and Spidermonkey glanced up to see her charging in, her fists massive and glowing with power. She slammed her fists into Sato's shoulders like a battering ram. The force of the impact was enough to stop Sato in his tracks.

Spidermonkey's instincts flared. Seizing the opportunity, he shot a web from his tail, swinging under Shishida just as Sato was knocked back. He flipped his body mid-air, landing behind the massive boy. He cocked his fist back, feeling blue electricity crackle around his arm.

The surge of energy felt like raw power coursing through him as he delivered a bone-crushing uppercut to Sato's jaw. The impact lifted the large student off his feet, his body jerking violently before Spidermonkey followed up with a roundhouse kick to Sato's chest.

The sheer force of the blow sent Sato flying backward, crashing into a group of students like a wrecking ball, the air pushed out of his lungs in a pained grunt.

Danger Sense jabbed through Spidermonkey's skull again, more intense this time. He twisted instinctively, jerking his head behind him.

Shishida, in his beastly form, had launched himself toward Spidermonkey with terrifying speed. Spidermonkey barely had time to react before Jirou shot from her perch on the horn. She launched herself onto Shishida's shoulders, landing with precision and speed.

"Sorry, dude," Jirou muttered with a sly grin as her jacks pierced into Shishida's ears. The moment the connection was made, she released a jolt of her heartbeat through the jacks. The beast-man's roar of pain echoed through the arena as he staggered back, clutching his head in agony.

"AAAAA!!!"

Spidermonkey saw his opening. He launched himself at Shishida with unrelenting speed, his fist crackling with raw power. He drove the punch straight into Shishida's gut, the force of the blow knocking the air from his lungs with a sickening wham. Shishida was sent flying, skidding across the ground and clutching his stomach in pain, his breath ragged.

Jirou dismounted from the beast-man's shoulders, looking over at Spidermonkey with a satisfied grin. "Nice shot."

"WHOA, TALK ABOUT TEAMWORK! KENDO AND JIROU COMING IN CLUTCH, BACKING UP MIDORIYA WHEN HE NEEDED IT MOST! THIS IS HOW YOU DOMINATE THE BATTLEFIELD!"

"What are you two doing here?" Spidermonkey asked, catching his breath as he turned to Itsuka and Jirou.

Itsuka, her ponytail swishing in the wind, shot him a cocky grin. "Someone's gotta have your back."

Jirou nodded, her expression serious despite the playful tone. "Yeah, we can't let you have all the fun."

Spidermonkey smirked, feeling a rush of adrenaline. Just as he turned to leap into a nearby tree, the stabbing pain of Danger Sense struck again. His head snapped back, and without hesitation, he grabbed Itsuka and Jirou by the waist, hoisting them off the ground with ease as he bounded toward the nearest tree. Both girls squealed in surprise as they were lifted off their feet.

"W-Whoa!" Jirou exclaimed, her face flushed with surprise. "Midoriya, what the heck?!" Jirou gasped her cheeks flushed as she steadied herself.

They landed smoothly on a high branch, the wind rustling through the leaves. Just as they regained their balance, Spidermonkey's sharp eyes caught a figure emerging behind where they had just been standing.

"Was that Kurorio?" Kendo's voice rang out, her tone filled with surprise.

The boy in question smirked slyly, his eyes gleaming with intent. Kendo's expression shifted, her stance tightening as she realized what was about to unfold. "That's not good..." she muttered, her gaze narrowing on the approaching danger.

...

Danger Sense blared in Spidermonkey's brain, a violent warning just before the branch beneath them began to crackle and explode.

In an instant, he leapt off, twisting his body in mid-air and landing on a nearby branch just as the one they had been on detonated in a shower of splintered wood. Shards of wood scattered, some grazing his fur, but Spidermonkey was already moving.

The Danger Sense flared again, and Spidermonkey's heart raced as the branch he had just landed on exploded in a violent eruption. Without hesitation, he swung his body to the side, firing a web that snapped taut and launched him forward.

The trees around him exploded with violent force, but Spidermonkey used the chaos to propel himself. A large chunk of wood flew at him, forcing him to dive to the ground just as the branches behind him shattered into jagged pieces.

Jirou's eyes widened in horror as the ground beneath them started to soften, the earth shifting beneath their feet. Reacting quickly, she jammed her jacks into the soles of her boots, releasing a sonic pulse that sent shockwaves through the ground, halting their fall. The momentum of their descent stopped, but Spidermonkey's Danger Sense flared once again.

In a blur of motion, he grabbed Kendo by the arm and launched her into the air. She flew like a missile, fists cocked and enlarged, and with a resounding thud, her punch collided with Juzo, sending him rocketing backwards, crashing into a pile of rubble.

Spidermonkey didn't waste a moment. He shot a web to where Kendo had landed and pulled himself across the chaos, landing hard on the ground. The impact sent a tremor through his body, but he was already ready for the next attack. The trio panted from the effort, hearts still pounding.

"Okay, so I'm assuming that was Class B?" Spidermonkey asked, his voice rough from the intensity of the fight.

Kendo nodded quickly. "The exploding branches must have been Shoda's work. He must have tagged them earlier," she explained, scanning the battlefield.

Spidermonkey's senses screamed again. His eyes darted around just as Kaibra spun at him, his arm winding like a drill before launching toward Spidermonkey with terrifying speed. At the same time, Ojiro's tail whipped toward Kendo, aiming to strike her down.

Without hesitation, Spidermonkey reacted. He grabbed Awase by the arm and flung him through the air with brutal force, sending him crashing into Rin, who had been launching razor-sharp scales. The impact caused them both to stumble.

Kendo was already in motion. With swift precision, she grabbed Ojiro by the tail, her muscles tensing as she spun with him before delivering a punch to his gut. The force of the blow was enough to leave Ojiro gasping for breath.

His unfocused eyes flickered, regaining clarity as confusion spread across his face. He blinked several times, clearly disoriented, not knowing where he was or how he had ended up there.

Spidermonkey didn't waste the opportunity. He shot a web from behind Ojiro, wrapping it around his body and yanking him forward with a brutal tug. Ojiro was slammed into a nearby tree, the force of the impact leaving a deep indentation in the bark.

The shockwave rippled through the area, the ground trembling as Ojiro crumpled to the ground, dazed and defeated.

"We need to find Shoda and Kurorio and take them down as quickly as possible," she said, cracking her knuckles. "If those two keep getting the drop on us, we're going to lose the ten-million-point flag."

Spidermonkey shifted the flag on his back, which was wrapped securely around him like a makeshift backpack. He crouched low, his sharp gaze darting across the battlefield. "Yeah, you're right. Jirou, think you can find them with your Quirk?" he asked, his tone steady but urgent.

Jirou gave a confident nod, already pulling her jacks toward her boots.

Before she could begin, Spidermonkey froze. Danger Sense flared violently, sending sharp jolts of pain through his head. "Incoming!" he shouted as a group of students charged at them, all eyes locked on the ten-million-point flag.

Jirou didn't waste a second. She yanked out a set of headphones from her belt pouch, tossing them to her teammates. "Cover your ears. Now!" she ordered.

Itsuka and Spidermonkey barely had time to put the headphones on before Jirou's jacks plunged into her boots. A split second later, a powerful sonic blast erupted from her speakers, the shockwave tearing through the air with a deafening roar.

The attacking students faltered, clutching their ears and wincing in pain. Some dropped to their knees, their ears still sensitive from Echo-Echo's earlier attack. Their groans of discomfort were almost drowned out by the lingering echoes of the sonic blast.

Jirou smirked, cutting off the sound as she unplugged her boots. She knelt, pressing her jacks against the ground. Her sharp eyes closed as she focused, listening carefully. The battlefield buzzed with movement, but amidst the chaos, two distinct sounds stood out: pained groans and faint shifting from the shadows.

Her eyes snapped open. "Got 'em. Shoda is that way!"she exclaimed,"Shoda's over there, hiding behind that boulder, and Kurorio's just past those trees to the right."

Spidermonkey crouched, his muscles coiling with anticipation. "I'll take Shoda first. You two stay on Kurorio-don't let him slip away!" His tail shot out, firing two web strings into nearby trees. With a powerful tug, he slingshotted himself forward, rocketing through the air like a missile.

Shoda's eyes widened for a moment, but a confident smirk tugged at his lips. He raised a hand and snapped his fingers. The instant he did, the branches Spidermonkey had used moments ago trembled ominously before shattering with explosive force.

"The heck?!" Spidermonkey said before looking at Shoda in realization."He must have used his quirk to leave traps."

Danger Sense flared, the stabbing pain jolting Spidermonkey's mind. He twisted mid-air in a near-impossible maneuver, narrowly evading the shards of wood and splinters that exploded in his wake.

The burst disrupted his momentum slightly, but his enhanced agility allowed him to recover. He landed briefly on a nearby branch before launching himself again, this time directly at Shoda.

Shoda had anticipated this."I made sure to leave twin impacts near my position."

With a sudden crack, the point where Spidermonkey had just been moments ago erupted in a concussive shockwave. 'He's quirk isn't limited to just solid surfaces?!'

Spidermonkey's Danger Sense stabbed at his brain, and he darted sideways just in time to avoid the blast, his quick reflexes and nimble frame saving him from a direct hit. The shockwave rippled past him, scattering leaves and dust into the air.

"Nice try!" Spidermonkey growled, his voice tense but confident as he adjusted his trajectory mid-leap.

His tail lashed out, gripping a low-hanging branch to swing himself closer. He swung as he dodged another sudden shockwave he's head jerk as tree's branch exploded, Spidermonkey shot a web and swung into the air and clung to a tree. Blue electricity crackled around his body and like bullet he sprung of the tree.

Closing the distance in an instant, he cocked his fist back, blue electricity crackling around it.

Shoda barely had time to react. Spidermonkey's punch connected with devastating force, striking him square in the chest.

The impact was so powerful that it sent a shockwave rippling through the air, a loud CRACK echoing through the clearing.

The sheer force of the blow caused Shoda to stagger back, his breath escaping in a harsh gasp as spit flew from his mouth.

The force of the punch hurled Shoda through the air like a ragdoll, his body colliding with the trunk of a nearby tree with a heavy thud. The tree shook from the impact, leaves raining down as Shoda slumped to the ground, barely able to keep his eyes open. He groaned, clutching his chest as he fought to stay conscious.

Spidermonkey landed smoothly on all fours.

"SPIDERMONKEY WITH A DEVASTATING PUNCH KNOCKS OUT NIRENGEKI SHODA! HOW IS HE DODGING ALL THESE ATTACKS?! THIS KID'S MOVES ARE UNREAL!"

...

"Woah... You saw that kids reflexes?" A spectator said in awe.

"Yeah... He dodged like pro!" Another said.

"And you saw that Jirou girl? She managed to find Shoda so Spidermonkey could take him down!"

Another pro nodded."And she stopped the entire charging group with that sonic attack giving her team breathing room."

"She's strong, no doubt, but her ability to think on her feet during battle is what separates her."

"She took down that Ojiro kid without breaking a sweat."

...

"Midoriya!" Jirou shouted, releasing a sonic blast from her boots. The alien hero, relying on his sharp hearing, focused on what the punk girl had been saying.

"We found Kuroiro, but..." Jirou said, her eyes scanning the shifting shadows. Kuroiro darted between them effortlessly, avoiding the sonic waves. A sly, confident smirk spread across his face as he taunted, "You're going to have to try harder than that!"

From above, Kendo leapt down from a tree, her enlarged fist smashing toward him like a hammer. But Kuroiro darted away just in time, his lithe form merging into the nearby shadow before reappearing behind her. He launched a quick kick to her side, making her stumble slightly.

"Hehehe..." he chuckled darkly, sinking into another shadow. "Sorry, big sis, but no way you're taking me out that easily."

Kendo clenched her teeth, a flicker of frustration crossing her face. She turned sharply, her ponytail whipping as she gritted out, "Oh, I'm not done yet."

Kuroiro laughed again, but his smug confidence was shattered as a sonic blast from Jirou's jacks rocked him. Clutching his ears in pain, he stumbled, momentarily disoriented. Kendo smirked, tapping the headphones she wore to protect herself.

"Gotcha now!" Kendo yelled as she closed the distance, her massive fist driving upward in a devastating uppercut. The force of the blow launched Kuroiro out of his shadow, his body tumbling through the air.

The shadow-user scrambled desperately, his mind racing as he sought another dark spot to merge into. Another sharp sonic blast from Jirou made him falter, his focus wavering. Despite the relentless attack, he managed to escape, sinking into a nearby shadow and emerging atop a branch high in a tree.

Panting heavily, Kuroiro leaned against the tree, his face damp with sweat. "Okay... I need to take a breather..." he muttered, trying to regain his composure.

"UH-OH, KUROIRO, YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO SLACK OFF NOW!" Present Mic bellowed, his voice brimming with energy.

From the speakers, Aizawa's calm yet cutting tone followed, " A tactical error. He failed to remain aware of his surroundings."

Kuroiro's eyes widened in alarm. Surroundings? he thought. His confusion turned to panic as a shadow loomed overhead.

Spidermonkey descended from above, his fist crackling with blue electricity. Kuroiro barely had time to process what was happening before the powerful blow connected with his face, the impact reverberating through his body.

The force of the punch hurled him out of the shadows, sending him crashing into the ground with a resounding thud. Dust rose around him as he groaned in pain, his confident smirk long gone.

"Nice shot!" Kendo called out, giving Spidermonkey a thumbs-up. "That'll teach him to underestimate us."

Spidermonkey landed gracefully beside her, his tail flicking as he grinned."

Jirou smirked from her position, lowering her jacks. "That's what he gets for hiding in the dark."

The spectators roared with excitement, their cheers shaking the stadium as the dramatic scene unfolded. The intensity of the fight already had the crowd on the edge of their seats.

Izuku barely had a moment to breathe when the stabbing pain of Danger Sense erupted in his mind. His eyes widened, and he twisted to the side just as the air rippled with the force of an explosion.

"DAMN YOU, DEKU!" Bakugou's voice tore through the noise as he rocketed toward Izuku, his palms blazing. Izuku, still in his Spidermonkey form, leaped into the air, executing a flawless backflip as his elongated limbs wrapped around Kendo and Jirou, pulling them out of harm's way. The ground where they'd stood cracked and burned under the force of Bakugou's explosion.

Spidermonkey landed on all fours, his green eyes locking with Bakugou's fiery red glare. The rage in Bakugou's gaze was palpable, his lips twisted into a snarl.

"Damn you, Deku," Bakugou hissed again, his voice dripping with venom.

Spidermonkey felt his muscles tense, a surge of anger rising at the sound of that nickname. His glare hardened, his shoulders square as the tension between the two sparked like a live wire.

"KATSUKI BAKUGOU AND IZUKU MIDORIYA FACE OFF! WITH JUST UNDER 10 MINUTES REMAINING ON THE CLOCK!" the announcer bellowed, the crowd going wild.

Jirou glanced at the timer, her pulse quickening.

11 minutes and 30 seconds,

"CAN KATSUKI BAKUGOU CLAIM THE 10 MILLION POINTS AND SECURE VICTORY?!"

--

Aizawa observed from the stands, his sharp eyes narrowing with concern as the two boys squared off.

"This better not get out of hand," he muttered, though his gut told him otherwise.

--

In the stands, Ishida leaned forward, a malicious grin spreading across his face.

"Oh, this is going to be over in seconds," he sneered. "Bakugou's going to wipe the floor with him."

"Finally, we'll see Deku reminded of his place," another student added, practically buzzing with anticipation. "No way he's winning this one."

"Yeah, he was fast in the obstacle course, but this? This is a real fight," someone chimed in, smirking.

"Bakugou's explosions are on another level," another agreed. "Midoriya's little streak ends here." Despite his words, there was an edge of nervousness in his tone. Izuku's recent performance had shaken their confidence, even if they refused to admit it.

--

Yubi sat stiffly, his face dark with disdain. He turned to the group, his voice cutting through their chatter.

"Don't you all feel ashamed of yourselves?"

Ishida rolled his eyes dramatically. "Would you shut up already? Quit riding Deku's dick for, like, five minutes. You're getting on my nerves."

The group laughed, some snickering under their breath.

"Right, Naomi?" one of the girls asked, nudging her shoulder. "Aren't you excited to watch Bakugou put Deku in his place?"

Another girl chimed in, smirking. "What's he going to do? Cry his way to victory?"

But Naomi didn't respond. Her wide, stunned eyes were fixed on the field, unable to tear away from Izuku's figure. Every movement, every leap, and every confident action had left her breathless.

The way he'd taken on the hero course students, how he handled himself with an ease and focus she'd never seen before-it was like looking at a completely different person.

"Naomi?" the girl nudged again, her voice breaking Naomi's trance.

"Huh?" Naomi blinked, her face flushing.

"Uh, you okay?"

"Y-Yeah, whatever," Naomi mumbled, brushing her hair behind her ear as she tried to mask her confusion.

The girl shrugged. "Guess Deku's luck runs out here."

Yubi snorted, his arms crossed. "There's a difference between luck and skill. You might want to learn it."

...

Spidermonkey crouched low, electricity from One For All crackling around his fur like a raging storm. His green eyes locked onto Bakugou, burning with focus and fury. His tail lashed behind him whip around like a whip.

Across from him, Bakugou sneered, explosions sparking in his palms. "So, you told on me to the teachers, huh? You think you can get away with that, you damn nerd?" His voice was venomous, but his words were deliberately vague, leaving Kendo with a confused frown while Jirou narrowed her eyes, trying to piece it together.

Spidermonkey didn't respond. The crackling energy around him surged, his stance tightening as anger bubbled just beneath the surface.

Bakugou's sneer twisted into a scowl. "And I haven't forgotten about that punch you landed on me. I owe you for that, Deku." His voice was low, dangerous, and full of barely restrained rage. The tension between them thickened, like the air before a thunderstorm.

BOOM!

Bakugou launched himself forward, the explosion roaring beneath him like cannonfire. The ground beneath him cracked and cratered. Spidermonkey reacted instantly, his powerful legs coiling like springs before he shot forward, a blue blur slicing through the air.

Bakugou's right hook came first, an explosion flaring from his palm, but Danger Sense snapped in Spidermonkey's mind, urging him to act.

Twisting mid-air, Spidermonkey deflected the blast with his three-fingered hand, redirecting the heat and force to the side. Without missing a beat, his knee shot upward, smashing into Bakugou's face with a sickening crunch. Blood sprayed as Bakugou's nose shattered, sending him stumbling back.

"DAMN YOU MONKEY!!" Bakugou roared, his palms slamming together as a massive explosion erupted between them.

The concussive force sent Spidermonkey hurtling through the air, flipping end over end, but he caught himself mid-motion, shooting a web from his tail to anchor onto a nearby tree. Using the tension, he slingshotted himself back toward Bakugou at breakneck speed.

Bakugou twisted, his palms sparking violently.

"DIE!"

A blinding explosion surged from his hands, the force creating a deafening boom. Black smoke engulfed the battlefield, obscuring everything in a thick haze.

From the sidelines, Present Mic shouted, "WHOA! BAKUGOU GOES BOOM WITH A SMOKESCREEN! I CAN'T SEE A THING! GIVE US SOMETHING TO WORK WITH!"

Through the swirling smoke, Bakugou burst out, his expression wild and feral. But before he could recover, a massive fist collided with his face like a freight train.

Kendo's blow launched him across the clearing, the impact cracking the ground beneath her. Bakugou spun mid-air, his palms flaring to stop his momentum.

But Spidermonkey was already in position. From above, he shot downward like a missile, delivering a crushing punch to Bakugou's back and slamming him into the dirt with a thunderous crash. The ground cracked beneath the impact as Bakugou let out a guttural growl.

Explosions erupted from Bakugou's palms, the heat and force forcing Spidermonkey to leap away. Danger Sense flared again-Bakugou was relentless.

A wide explosion roared toward him, lighting up the smoke-filled air, but Spidermonkey twisted out of the way, his tail hooking around a tree branch to pull himself clear.

Before Bakugou could react, Spidermonkey descended again, landing feet-first on his chest with bone-crunching force. The air burst from Bakugou's lungs as he slammed back into the ground, gasping for breath.

Through gritted teeth, Bakugou roared, his palms igniting in a desperate explosion that launched Spidermonkey off him.

The alien tumbled back but landed on all fours, crackling with energy, his green eyes gleaming with determination.

...

Spidermonkey groaned, shaking off the sting in his limbs as Bakugou descended like a missile, fire exploding beneath him.

"DIE!!"

Bakugou roared, his explosion scorching the ground in a fiery blast. Spidermonkey rolled to the side, flipping midair with feline agility to avoid the burning assault.

Bakugou surged forward, another explosion propelling him toward Spidermonkey like a bullet. But with quick reflexes, Spidermonkey dodged, weaving behind Bakugou in a blur. His tail shot out a sticky webline, latching onto Bakugou's arm. With a powerful yank, he threw Bakugou off balance just as Kendo rushed in, her fist enlarging to a massive size.

WHAM!

Her hammer-like blow connected squarely with Bakugou's chest, the sheer force knocking the breath from his lungs.

Bakugou snarled in frustration, his eyes blazing with fury. He gripped the web attached to his arm and pulled with explosive force. BOOM! The shockwave erupted, forcing Kendo to shield herself as she skidded back across the dirt.

Spidermonkey didn't let up. Swinging from above, he launched himself downward, delivering a devastating two-footed kick to Bakugou's side.

The impact was so fierce that Bakugou felt a rib crack as he was hurled across the battlefield, rolling violently before slamming to a halt. Gritting his teeth, Bakugou pushed himself up, but there was no time to recover.

Kendo was already on him, her massive fist sweeping horizontally in a crushing arc. Bakugou ducked at the last second, the force of the swing creating a gust of air that ruffled his hair.

Before he could counter, Spidermonkey fired another webline, pulling himself toward Bakugou like a rocket. Twisting midair, Spidermonkey delivered a spinning kick that clipped Bakugou's shoulder, forcing him to stumble back.

Kendo followed up with an uppercut, her fist initially normal-sized. But the moment it connected with Bakugou's chin, she expanded it in an instant.

CRACK! The blow lifted Bakugou off his feet, his head snapping back from the sheer force.

Spidermonkey capitalized on the opening, launching forward with a flying knee. The blow connected squarely with Bakugou's face, sending him crashing to the ground in a heap. "DAMMIT!" he growled, blood dripping from his nose as he tried to steady himself.

But Spidermonkey wasn't done. A webline shot from his tail, attaching to Bakugou's arm again. With a sharp tug, he hurled Bakugou toward Kendo like a ragdoll. Kendo pivoted smoothly, her leg sweeping around in a powerful spin. Her kick smashed into Bakugou's face with a resounding THUD, sending him flying sideways.

Before Bakugou could even hit the ground, Kendo followed up with a crushing punch.

BOOM!

The force hurled him like a cannonball, slamming him into a tree with enough power to crack the bark. Bakugou slid to the ground, coughing and dazed.

From the stands, Present Mic's voice exploded through the speakers. "HOLY SMOKES, FOLKS! DID YOU SEE THAT? THESE TWO ARE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH! THEY HAVEN'T EVEN HAD A HERO CLASS TOGETHER ! AND ARE KICKING BAKUGOU'S BUTT! NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL A POWERHOUSE DUO!!"

...

Bakugou struggled to regain his footing, barely able to react as Spidermonkey's roundhouse kick slammed into his chest. The sheer force of the strike knocked the breath from his lungs, and he coughed violently, his vision blurring.

Before he could recover, Spidermonkey's tail shot out, a webline attaching to Bakugou's body and pulling him off balance. In one fluid motion, Spidermonkey hurled him towards Kendo, who was already leaping into the air, her fists poised for impact.

Kendo's hands collided with Bakugou's chest with a thunderous crash. The power behind her blow sent shockwaves through the ground, and Bakugou was driven back into the dirt, the air knocked from his lungs.

Without wasting a beat, Kendo surged forward again, her movements fluid and precise. As she passed by Jirou, the two shared a quick high five, their teamwork instinctive. Jirou plugged her jacks into her boots, and a powerful sonic wave erupted from her, hitting Bakugou square in the chest. The sound was deafening, and Bakugou winced in pain, clutching his ears as the world around him blurred from the force of the attack.

Before Bakugou could even think of retaliating, Spidermonkey shot a web at his right arm, pulling it tightly to his side. Bakugou's body locked up momentarily, giving Spidermonkey the chance to crawl around him, his martial arts training evident in every calculated movement. Spidermonkey wrapped him in a thick cocoon of webbing, each strand securing him tighter. Then, with a grunt of effort, Spidermonkey yanked Bakugou by the feet, flipping him upside down and leaving him dangling helplessly from a nearby branch.

"DAMN YOU, DEKU!!" Bakugou yelled, his rage and humiliation echoing through the air.

Spidermonkey stood back, panting heavily, his body aching from the fight. Kendo, just as exhausted, stood with her hands on her knees, her chest rising and falling with each breath. She smiled at Spidermonkey and gave him a thumbs up. He grinned back, his heart swelling with pride. He wasn't sure what it was, but he could have sworn his heart skipped a beat.

From the stands, Present Mic's voice boomed with excitement. "NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL TEAMWORK! KYOUKA JIROU WITH THE SONIC ATTACK! LEAVES BAKUGOU POWERLESS!!

From her zone on the monitor, Uraraka watched the pair with a mixture of admiration and something deeper. The way Kendo and Spidermonkey fought together-effortless, like they had trained together for years-hit her hard. It made her stomach twist.

She knew how Kendo felt about Izuku, and watching her use those feelings to fuel her attacks, while she had been too afraid to act on hers, stung more than she expected. A pang of jealousy gnawed at her chest.

Tsuyu, watching intently, could only mutter in awe, "Ribbit... Kendo..." There was a certain beauty in their synchronization, in the way they moved without speaking. They were completely in tune with each other.

Mina, who had been observing from the sidelines, couldn't help the flush that spread across her face.

She was still trying to process what she had witnessed. 'So... that's what you meant...' she thought, remembering the conversation from the sleepover.

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she refocused and charged into the fray.

...

Ishida stared at the scene, his face pale as if his entire world had been flipped upside down. The once smug expression he carried was replaced with disbelief. Around him, his group of friends sat in stunned silence, their earlier confidence in Bakugou's victory shattered.

Meanwhile, the rest of the spectators erupted into thunderous cheers, their excitement shaking the arena as they chanted for Spidermonkey. The energy was electric, the roar of the crowd a testament to Izuku's incredible performance.

Yubi leaned back in his seat, a satisfied smirk tugging at his lips. "See?" he said, his tone light but carrying a hint of triumph. "Who needs luck when you've got skill?"

...

Bakugou growled in frustration, his entire body throbbing with pain as he dangled upside down in the web cocoon. His glare burned into Deku-or rather, the alien form of Spidermonkey-while his teeth ground audibly. "Damn you!" he spat, the venom in his voice unmistakable.

Kyoka crossed her arms, a smug grin spreading across her face. "Wow, Green," she said dryly, "you went all out to gift-wrap me an angry Pomeranian. How thoughtful."

Kendo stifled a laugh beside her, shaking her head. "Aw, that's so sweet. He even wrapped it up with care."

Spidermonkey struggled to keep a straight face, a smile tugging at his lips. He covered his mouth with one of his lower arms, trying not to laugh out loud. The girls always knew how to lighten the mood, even when they were poking fun at someone-or him.

Kyoka tilted her head, her smirk sharp. "Though, I don't think I want it. He kind of looks like he has rabies."

"THE HELL DID YOU SAY, YOU EARLOBE BITCH?!" Bakugou roared, his voice cracking with fury.

Kyoka's grin didn't falter. "Hmm. Do you think we need a rabies shot for him, Kendo?"

Kendo couldn't hold back a chuckle. "Maybe we should just grab some doggy treats and see if he calms down."

That broke whatever composure Spidermonkey had left. He let out a snicker, quickly muffled by his hand. Kyoka and Kendo erupted into laughter, their teasing hitting its mark. Bakugou, now red-faced, glared daggers at Kendo.

"Hey, Man Hands," Bakugou snarled, his crimson glare locked on Kendo. "You're the bitch that taught him those moves, right?" His voice dripped with venom.

Kendo didn't flinch, a confident smirk spreading across her face. "Yeah, I'm the bitch who taught him to kick your ass," she shot back coolly. "What are you gonna do about it?"

Bakugou seethed, his mouth opening to fire back when a web shot from Spidermonkey's tail, sealing his lips shut. "K-Kendo," Spidermonkey stammered nervously, "be careful... he might actually bite."

Jirou and Kendo froze for a moment before bursting into another round of laughter.

"Pfft!" Jirou stifled a laugh.

"Haha... oh my gosh," Kendo gasped, clutching her sides.

Kyoka nudged Spidermonkey with her elbow, an amused glint in her eye. "Looks like you're finally picking up a thing or two from me, Green."

Spidermonkey chuckled awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck. "Y-Yeah... I guess I am."

Their eyes met for a brief moment, and Kyoka's smirk faltered as a faint blush crept onto her cheeks.

Spidermonkey felt his heartbeat quicken, his face heating up in response. Their stared at each other lost in each others eyes.

Kyoka cleared her throat, looking away quickly. "Uh, right... well, uh, sure." Her voice sounded unusually flustered, something she clearly wasn't used to.

Spidermonkey's tail swayed nervously as Bakugou's muffled growls grew louder, his glare drilling holes into the alien hero.

...

Before the group could react, Mina Ashido came sliding toward them on a trail of her acid, moving with the speed and agility of a pro skater. The group widened their stances, startled, as she shot acid from her hands, effectively separating them.

"Hey, Midori!" Mina called out with a cheerful grin, her voice as bubbly as ever.

Spidermonkey leapt into action, somersaulting backward onto a wall and sticking to it effortlessly. His sharp senses flared as Danger Sense went off again, alerting him to the incoming rush of other teams charging their way.

But before he could fully react, he felt arms wrap tightly around him from behind. Spidermonkey's eyes widened in shock. How had someone managed to grab him without triggering Danger Sense?

"I've got you!" came the familiar voice of Hagakure, her tone triumphant and teasing.

"H-Hagakure?! How could I not sense you?" Spidermonkey asked, twisting his head in confusion. The invisible girl smirked, though he couldn't see it.

Before she could answer, Danger Sense flared again—this time from Sato barreling toward them. With a quick shake of his head, Spidermonkey planted two sharp kicks, sending Sato skidding back across the ground.

He then backflipped with remarkable agility, slamming Hagakure into the dirt. She let out a groan as her grip on him loosened.

"Sorry!" Spidermonkey said hastily, glancing down at her with genuine concern.

Hagakure gave a strained chuckle, waving him off. "Only you would apologize to the person trying to steal your flag, Midoriya."

But there was no time for banter. Spidermonkey's Danger Sense buzzed faintly again—not from an incoming person, but something else. He instinctively dodged a splash of acid hurled his way, only to see Mina Ashido closing the gap. However, when she threw a punch, his Danger Sense didn't register it.

Why can't I sense her attacks?! Spidermonkey thought, narrowly dodging her punch with a twist in mid-air.

Thinking quickly, he shot several webs toward her, pinning her to the ground. But Mina burned through them with her acid in seconds, grinning as an idea sparked in her head.

"Wow, Midori, this isn't exactly how I imagined you shooting white sticky stuff on me," she said with a mischievous smirk.

Spidermonkey froze mid-movement, his face flushing deep blue. For a moment, his sharp reflexes faltered entirely.

Kyouka, standing nearby, caught the comment with her enhanced hearing and turned bright red. "Uh-oh," she muttered under her breath, facepalming.

The stumble was all Mina needed. She darted forward, landing a clean uppercut to Spidermonkey's jaw, followed by a swift kick to his midsection. With surprising speed, she grabbed the flag from his back.

Kendo, spotting the opening, leapt into the fray. Her enlarged fists swung powerfully as she spun through the air like a wrecking ball. Mina barely avoided the hit, forced to drop the flag in the process.

"That was a dirty move, Ashido,"Kyouka said, her arms crossed and her face still pink from embarrassment. "But I guess that's one way to get Midoriya to lower his guard."

Mina stuck her tongue out playfully.

"WHOA! ASHIDO ACTUALLY LANDED A HIT ON MIDORIYA!" Present Mic's voice boomed over the arena. "NOBODY'S BEEN ABLE TO TOUCH HIM SINCE THIS EVENT STARTED! WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED TO THROW HIM OFF HIS GAME?!"

Aizawa groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "From past experience... I have a pretty good idea," he muttered, his voice laced with irritation.

Spidermonkey sat up, his blue fur still tinged with embarrassment. "Seriously, dude?" Kyouka said.

"Look, she caught me off guard!" Spidermonkey protested, his voice defensive as he glanced away.

...

Momo glanced at the timer, noting the remaining time.

9 minutes and 56 seconds remaining.

"Nine minutes and fifty-six seconds," she said, her tone calm but laced with urgency. With quick precision, she created a flare gun from her Quirk. "We're running out of time. Our best strategy now is to elevate our team. Pony, you'll use your horns to get everyone into the air. We'll let the others exhaust themselves fighting over the flags while we hold out until the clock runs down."

Pony blinked, her wide eyes filled with determination. "You got it!" she said, immediately preparing her horns for the task. She launched 4 horns over the crystal formation.

...

Bakugou, trapped in the sticky webbing, unleashed a thunderous explosion that shredded through the tangled strings. Shrapnel-like web fragments flew in every direction as he propelled himself forward with explosive force.

Spidermonkey crouched low, his Danger Sense flaring. The sharp, stabbing sensation in his head guided his movements, and he twisted mid-air to narrowly avoid Bakugou's charge. But another pang spiked through his mind, sharp and relentless, alerting him to another incoming threat. His eyes darted around before locking on to Shoji barreling toward him with incredible speed.

"Shoji?!" he called out, his voice edged with both confusion and apprehension.

His senses screamed again, and this time, a purple sphere whizzed toward him."Is Mineta with you?!"

He ducked and rolled, narrowly avoiding it, but another jab in his head caused him to sidestep as a slimy tongue lashed out toward him. He leapt onto a nearby tree, sticking to its bark.

"Tsu?" Spidermonkey muttered, scanning the chaotic battlefield. His Danger Sense was relentless now, stabbing at his mind in quick succession as enemy after enemy closed in.

Rin's scales whipped toward him, forcing him to dodge to the side. He somersaulted out of the way and landed in the middle of the fray, surrounded by his classmates.

"Great, now it's everyone..." he muttered, his sharp claws digging into the dirt.

A sudden idea sparked in his mind as Kirishima charged toward him. Spidermonkey spun to face him, firing a web string that latched onto the red-haired boy. With a sharp tug, he yanked Kirishima toward him.

"Sorry, Kirishima. I'll buy you lunch later!" Spidermonkey said quickly, his tone genuinely apologetic.

Kirishima's eyes widened in horror as realization struck. "Wait, you're not gonna—!"

"Please harden!" Spidermonkey cut him off, gripping his now-hardened classmate tightly.

With his enhanced strength, he spun Kirishima around like a living wrecking ball, the sheer force creating a blur of red and blue as Kirishima collided with the other students charging in.

The battlefield erupted into chaos as students were sent flying one by one. Even Bakugou was forced to dodge as Kirishima's hardened body became a makeshift weapon.

"MIDORIYA IS USING HIS CLASSMATE AS A WEAPON!" Present Mic bellowed, his voice booming over the speakers. "I KNOW I SAID HE WAS A SHIELD AND SPEAR, BUT THIS IS ABSOLUTELY BONKERS!!"

Spidermonkey gritted his teeth, feeling the strain of his plan, and with one final spin, he hurled Kirishima straight at Bakugou.

The impact was explosive—literally. Bakugou countered with an explosion that sent both him and Kirishima tumbling across the ground. Kirishima, now dizzy and disoriented, wobbled to his feet, his hardened face flushed green as swirls danced in his eyes.

"Uncool, Midoriya! Uncool!" Kirishima groaned before collapsing and retching.

Spidermonkey winced. "Sorry, Kirishima! I promise to buy you anything you want after this!"

Despite his state, Kirishima weakly raised a thumbs-up, signaling no hard feelings.

But Spidermonkey wasn't done yet. His Danger Sense throbbed incessantly as he realized he was surrounded once more.

Suddenly, from behind a crystalline formation, a bright flare shot up into the air, illuminating the battlefield. Spidermonkey, Kendo, and Jirou turned toward it, their eyes widening in realization.

"That's the signal!" Spidermonkey exclaimed. "Kendo, Jirou! You two head back into the safe zone! I'll keep the flag safe." He crouched, ready to leap into action when Kendo's enlarged hand clamped down on his shoulder.

"Like hell we're letting you do this alone," Kendo said firmly, her determined expression leaving no room for argument.

"What? But the plan—" Spidermonkey started, but Jirou cut him off with a shrug.

"Plans change, Midoriya. It's better for us to back you up than to sit around guarding Yaoyorozu," Jirou reasoned.

Spidermonkey hesitated for a moment, looking at the fierce determination in their eyes. Finally, he grinned and pulled both girls into a quick side hug. "Fine. Let's make this work."

From across the field, Pony's horns streaked through the air, weaving and darting like guided missiles. Spidermonkey fired a web from his tail, latching onto one of the horns, and yanked hard. The three launched into the air with an almost dizzying speed.

In a series of acrobatic flips, Spidermonkey dropped Kendo onto a pair of the flying horns. She wobbled briefly before finding her balance. He repeated the maneuver with Jirou, who flailed for a moment but managed to stabilize.

Spidermonkey then shot another web string from his tail, anchoring himself to one of Jirou's horns for support. Together, the three rocketed into the sky like a missile, leaving the ground-bound students in their wake.

"He's getting away!" Kamakiri growled.

"Midoriya's got the 10 million points! We can't lose to him now!" Mineta screeched, scrambling to keep up.

Rin launched a flurry of scales in frustration, trying to knock them off course, but they were too fast. "Tch! Damn Pony's horns."

"Cut them off!" Kaibara shouted to Tsuburaba.

"On it!" Tsuburaba replied, taking a deep breath to create an air barrier in front of them.

Before he could act, Spidermonkey's Danger Sense flared, sending a jolt through his head. Reacting instantly, he let go of the horn with one hand, using his remaining grip on the webline to swing slightly. In a split second, he fired a web straight at Tsuburaba's mouth, sealing it shut before the attack could leave his lungs.

"Nice shot, Midoriya!" Kendo called, gripping tightly as Pony's horns accelerated higher into the air.

Pony focused harder, sweat beading on her brow as she commanded her horns to climb higher and faster, carrying the trio above their pursuers. Below them, the other students shouted and scrambled, unwilling to lose sight of the 10 million points fluttering behind Spidermonkey.

"MIDORIYA AND HIS TEAM JUST LAUNCHED THEMSELVES INTO THE SKY! KENDO AND JIROU HAVE TAKEN TO THE AIR THANKS TO PONY'S HORNS! TALK ABOUT RISING UP THE COMPETITION!"

...

""Shit, he's getting away," Kirishima muttered as he watched Spidermonkey swinging through the air, holding onto a webline tethered to Pony's horn. The green alien and the horned girl were soaring farther out of reach by the second. "So what's the plan, Bakugou?"

"Isn't it obvious? We're still going after that damn nerd!" Bakugou growled, his fists already smoking as his glare followed Izuku's retreating figure.

"Why?" Mina Ashido asked, crossing her arms as she glanced at Bakugou. "He already handed you your ass. Maybe we should just go after the other teams and rack up points. You know, make sure we qualify?" She didn't understand what Bakugou's problem with Izuku was. It felt like the guy had some personal grudge against him for no real reason.

"Look, we're running out of time," Mina continued. "We need to play it smart if we want to make it to the third event."

Kirishima nodded thoughtfully. "She's got a point, man. We could hit the other teams, get their points, and secure our spot. Then, I'll face Midobro fair and square in the next round."

"NO!" Bakugou barked, cutting him off. "I'm going after Deku! We're getting an undisputed win!" His hands flared with small explosions as his rage boiled over. "No one's gonna question that I'm the best! I'm taking that damn nerd down and getting those ten million points!"

Mina watched Izuku disappearing into the distance, soaring higher and higher as he zipped through the air. There was no denying it—he had the home-field advantage up there. Her brow furrowed as she turned back to Bakugou.

"Okay, but let's be real," she said firmly. "Neither Kirishima nor I can help you while you're in the air, and judging by how your last fight went, you're just gonna get your ass handed to you again."

Bakugou snarled, his teeth bared as smoke curled from his palms. The insinuation that he needed anyone's help was an insult he wasn't willing to take.

"LIKE HELL I NEED YOUR HELP, YOU DAMN EXTRAS TO BEAT THAT WORTHLESS NERD!" Bakugou shouted, spit flying with his words.

Mina's expression darkened, and she stepped closer, jabbing a finger into his chest. "Oh, yeah? If Midori's so worthless, what the hell does that make you?"

Bakugou blinked, momentarily thrown off by the sharpness in her voice. "Huh?" he muttered.

"You keep calling him the bottom, useless, worthless... but let's look at the facts. He saved your ungrateful ass at the USJ. He's beaten you—what, like, five times now? Honestly, I've lost count. And unlike you he actually made difference at the USJ while you just nearly got us killed." Mina's voice was steady, but her words hit like a slap, and Bakugou's face twisted in barely contained fury.

"And even if—if—you somehow manage to beat him this time, it still wouldn't prove a damn thing. Not when his win count against you is so much higher," she said, her tone calm but cutting. "Midori's at the top of the class, kicking ass, and doing it without being a massive dick. And He actually backs up his talk about becoming the number one hero. And unlike you he doesn't scream every damn second he's going to be great hero he's actions say more unlike you whose all talk."

Bakugou's fists clenched tighter, his body trembling with restrained anger. Mina took a step back, her gaze unwavering.

"If someone like that is so worthless, useless in your eyes," she said coldly, "then what the hell does that make you?"

The silence that followed was deafening. Even Kirishima didn't dare speak as Mina's words hung in the air, heavy and unshakable.

Bakugou's scowl deepened. He clenched his teeth, letting out a frustrated "Tch," before turning away. With a sharp explosion, he launched himself in Deku's direction, his anger burning brighter than ever.

...

Mina crossed her arms again, exhaling sharply. "Idiot."

Kirishima scratched the back of his neck, giving her an uneasy grin. "Uh... remind me to never get on your bad side, Ashido."

Mina smirked faintly. "Huh, would you look at that? I actually managed to shut him up for once."

"Yeah, that was awesome!" Kirishima said with a chuckle. "But we should still follow him."

Mina's smirk vanished, replaced with a look of disbelief. "What?! Why?" she asked, her voice almost pleading.

Kirishima shrugged, his expression firm but understanding. "Look, Midoriya's heading somewhere far. On the way, we can steal points from other teams. You're fast—you can grab them and bring them back. Besides, Bakugou isn't going to stop, and let's face it, he's still a damn good fighter, even if he's... well, Bakugou."

Mina groaned, rubbing her temples in frustration. "You're killing me here, Kirishima," she muttered before throwing her hands up in surrender. "Fine, let's go."

Without another word, she followed Kirishima, both of them sprinting after the trail of smoke Bakugou had left behind.