"IN OUR FIRST MATCH, WE HAVE TWO CLASS RIVALS GOING HEAD-TO-HEAD! FROM CLASS 1-B, THE GUY WHO CAN COPY YOUR QUIRK WITH A TOUCH-NEITO MONOMA!!" Present Mic's voice echoed through the stadium, amplified by the cheers of the crowd.

Monoma strode confidently onto the stage, his usual smug expression plastered across his face. "Time to show the world why Class B is superior," he declared, stretching his arms as he glanced towards the tunnel. His gaze landed on Izuku, who began walking into the stadium.

"VERSUS THE WALKING ABNORMALITY! HE CAME FIRST IN BOTH EVENTS! THE CLASS PRESIDENT OF CLASS 1-A!!"

The audience erupted into even louder cheers as Izuku Midoriya emerged, his emerald-green eyes focused and determined. He climbed the platform stairs, the roar of the crowd intensifying with every step.

Monoma's smirk faltered briefly as he noticed the clear favoritism in the audience's reaction.

"YOU WANTING HEROES? HE'S GOT SEVERAL, AND EACH ONE IS SOMETHING SPECIAL! WE HAVE IZUKU MIDORIYA!!" Present Mic shouted, his enthusiasm as electric as the crowd's excitement.

The noise in the stadium reached a fever pitch as Izuku reached the center of the platform. His heart raced in his chest-not out of fear, but from the sheer energy of thousands of eyes fixed on him.

"THE RULES ARE SIMPLE! KNOCK YOUR OPPONENT OUT OF THE RING, KNOCK THEM OUT COLD, OR MAKE THEM SURRENDER! DON'T WORRY ABOUT INJURIES-RECOVERY GIRL'S ON STANDBY!" Present Mic explained with gusto.

Izuku clenched his fists, cracking his knuckles. "It's hero time," he said, a confident smile spreading across his face.

Monoma chuckled, his grin widening as he eyed Izuku's Omnitrix. "Let's see what kind of tricks you've got."

"PUT YOUR ETHICS ON HOLD FOR A MINUTE-WE WANT A SHOWDOWN WORTH WATCHING! GIVE US A BLOOD BATH!" Present Mic began before Aizawa's scarf whipped forward, slapping him in the face.

"Keep it professional," Aizawa growled, glaring at his overenthusiastic colleague.

"R-right!" Present Mic cleared his throat. "OF COURSE, ANYTHING LIFE-THREATENING IS OFF-LIMITS! MIDNIGHT WILL STEP IN IF THINGS GET OUT OF HAND!"

Midnight stepped forward, her whip cracking against the ground as her eyes swept over both fighters. "Are you two ready?" she asked, her voice carrying authority.

Izuku's hand hovered over the Omnitrix, his gaze locked on Monoma, whose smirk remained unwavering.

No words were necessary.

"BEGIN!" Midnight declared with a crack of her whip.

...

Izuku's finger hovered over the Omnitrix's activation button when a sharp, stabbing sensation from Danger Sense shot through him. In an instant, green electricity crackled around his body, and he narrowly dodged a surge of orange flames hurtling toward him.

The heat licked at his side as the flames grazed his shoulder. Landing on the reinforced stone surface of the arena, Izuku clutched his singed shoulder, the pain sharp and immediate.

He snapped his gaze toward Monoma, who stood a few feet away, flames roaring around his hands and a crazed grin plastered across his face. The fire's intensity made the air around him shimmer, and even from the opposite side of the arena, Izuku could feel the oppressive heat radiating from the inferno.

Izuku squinted through the heat haze, his eyes widening in realization. "Th-those flames... th-they're..."

Monoma unleashed another torrent of fire, a searing wave that roared toward Izuku with terrifying force. Reacting quickly, Izuku leapt high into the air, twisting mid-spin to avoid the flames. He landed back on the platform, gritting his teeth as his hand instinctively covered the burn on his shoulder.

Present Mic's voice echoed across the arena, matching the crowd's stunned reaction. "WHOA! MONOMA, ARE THOSE FLAMES?! AND THEY'RE PACKING SOME SERIOUS HEAT! THE ONLY PERSON I KNOW WITH THAT LEVEL OF FIREPOWER IS ENDEAVOR! HOW'D YOU EVEN GET THAT QUIRK?!"

...

[Flashback]

"Endeavour! I'm such a big fan!" Monoma said as he approached the pro hero who seemed to scowl at him.

"Can I get an autograph?" Monoma asked innocently

Endeavour proceeded to slap his hand away with notepad."Get out of my way."

[Flashback over]

...

Back in the stands, Shoto gripped the edge of his seat tightly, his knuckles whitening with anger. There was no mistaking it-he recognized those flames instantly. He had grown up with their overwhelming heat, endured their searing intensity firsthand. Monoma had copied Endeavor's quirk, and Shoto's jaw tightened at the sight of his father's flames being used so recklessly.

"C'mon, Dekiru," Ochako whispered, her hands clasped tightly as she watched Izuku narrowly dodge another blast of fire.

"That's not looking good," Ojiro remarked, concern lacing his tone as he observed the scorch marks spreading across the arena.

Fumikage folded his arms, his voice calm but grim. "The fates do not seem to favor Midoriya. He's already sustained an injury."

"We shouldn't underestimate him," Momo interjected, her eyes steady as she followed Izuku's movements. "Midoriya always finds a way to overcome adversity."

Yuga, who had been silent up until then, tilted his head thoughtfully. "Wait, wasn't Monoma's quirk some kind of mind control? That's how he got us onto his team before."

"No, Monoma's quirk is copy," Ojiro corrected with a shrug. "Though I don't know the full details."

Ochako perked up, glancing at Itsuka. "Kendo probably knows more. They're classmates, and she's always knocking him down a peg."

Itsuka crossed her arms, smirking slightly. "Only because he's always being an ass."

Their conversation was interrupted as another torrent of flames shot across the platform, slamming into one of the surrounding walls and leaving a massive scorch mark. The heat from the attack caused everyone in the stands to wince.

"I can explain," Setsuna chimed in, her disembodied head floating over the divider. "Monoma can copy quirks, but he can't copy them all. For the ones he can, he can only use them for five minutes after touching the user. He can store up to three quirks at a time."

Bakugou snorted, leaning back with a smug grin. "No wonder that blond idiot didn't try copying Deku's quirk."

Sero scratched his head. "But why hasn't Midoriya transformed yet?"

Momo's eyes narrowed as she focused on Izuku, who flipped over another burst of fire. "He's analyzing Monoma's tactics. If Monoma has multiple quirks in play, picking the wrong transformation could cost him the match. Midoriya's being cautious, especially after what happened during Capture the Flag."

"Midoriya might not even know Monoma's time limit," Itsuka added. "That means Monoma has to finish this fight quickly, but Midoriya can drag it out as long as he needs to."

"But whose quirk did Monoma copy?" Pony asked, her head tilting curiously.

Shoto's voice cut through their chatter, low and filled with resentment. "He copied Endeavor's."

The group fell silent as Shoto's anger became palpable. Ice crept along the armrests of his chair as his fists tightened. His mismatched eyes stayed locked on the battlefield, watching as Monoma unleashed another fiery onslaught.

"Using my father's quirk to bulldoze his way through..." Shoto muttered under his breath, the frost spreading.

"I won't forgive you if you lose, Midoriya," he thought, his anger simmering beneath his composed exterior. 'I'll be the one to defeat you. I'll be the one to deny my father.'

...

"Heh, looks like your golden goose isn't doing so well," smirked Mt. Lady while they were on patrol duty, he had scolded the woman to not be distracted, but this time, he was the one focused on the television set.

"Well, that quirk looks a lot similar to Endeavor. I hate to break it, too, but the kid isn't beating Endeavors' quirk. Is he even panicking." Mt. Lady said with a chuckle. "I can feel my pockets getting heavier,"

"No." Death Arms said as he blew a puff of smoke. Mt. Lady gave a deadpanned expression and raised an eyebrow."Huh?"

"Look at his face." Pointed out Death Arms. "That's not the face of someone who's panicking. He's gauging his strength. He's thinking."

...

Monoma was panting heavily, sweat dripping down his face and soaking through his P.E. uniform, leaving visible stains under his arms. His breath came in short gasps as he smirked to himself. "Time to use Shinso's quirk. Everyone thinks it's touch-based, but that misconception works in my favor."

His eyes focused on Izuku, studying his stance. Monoma had spent plenty of time observing Midoriya and his tendencies. One thing was clear: Midoriya would always jump to defend his classmates, no matter the situation.

"Midoriya," Monoma called out, his voice tinged with mock sincerity. "There's something I've been meaning to say about your class."

Izuku didn't respond but narrowed his eyes, already on guard.

Monoma pressed on, his tone dripping with condescension. "I mean, everyone in Class 1-A is so insufferably arrogant. And let's not forget Bakugou-he's like a toddler throwing a tantrum, always screaming at the top of his lungs. Or Kaminari-does that guy even have brain cells?"

Izuku's eyes widened, his expression quickly shifting into a glare.

Monoma grinned, noticing the reaction. "And Yaoyorozu? Besides her intelligence, she's utterly useless. And don't even get me started on the invisible girl. How is she even-"

"DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT MY-" Izuku bellowed, his fists clenching as One For All began crackling faintly around him.

Monoma smirked triumphantly. "I wi-"

His words were cut short as Izuku's fist slammed into his jaw with brutal force. Monoma staggered backward, stunned by the sudden blow, his smirk replaced with a grimace of pain.

"-FRIENDS!" Izuku shouted, his green eyes blazing with fury.

For a moment, Izuku stood still, One For All sparking faintly across his body. Then confusion flashed across his face. "What just happened? Everything felt... foggy."

The memories rushed back to him in fragments. He remembered Monoma's words, the fog that clouded his mind, and the sharp stab of his Danger Sense snapping him out of it. Shaking his head to clear it, Izuku had charged forward, his fist meeting Monoma's face in a decisive right hook.

Monoma stumbled but quickly retaliated, unleashing another wave of flames.

The fire struck Izuku's shirt, and he could feel the searing heat as it began to spread. Acting on instinct, Izuku tore the smoldering fabric off, tossing it to the ground and stomping out the flames with quick, deliberate movements.

The crowd gasped at the sight, the stadium falling eerily silent for a moment. Then, all eyes were on Izuku Midoriya, now standing shirtless in the middle of the arena. His toned, muscular physique was on full display, illuminated by the fiery glow around him.

...

In the stands, the reactions were immediate and varied.

Momo clasped her hands over her mouth, her wide eyes fixed on him. Kyoka turned away quickly, covering her face with one hand while muttering something unintelligible. Ochako squeaked, shutting her eyes tightly and spinning in her seat.

Itsuka's cheeks flushed a deep red as she tried-and failed-to keep her expression neutral. Ibara gasped softly, her face warming as she averted her gaze.

Yui blinked, her usual stoic expression betraying a faint pink hue. Pony's ears twitched as she blushed furiously, trying to process what she was seeing. Kinoko stared blankly, her face slowly turning red as she blinked repeatedly, attempting to comprehend the scene.

Meanwhile, Setsuna broke the silence with a low whistle. "Well, damn."

...

Monoma rubbed his cheek, wincing from the impact of the punch. "What the hell? I could've sworn I used his quirk!" he muttered, his voice tinged with confusion and frustration.

Izuku noticed Monoma's momentary distraction and seized the opportunity. The Omnitrix's dial popped up on his wrist, glowing faintly as it began to spin. From the stands, Shinsou narrowed his eyes, disbelief etched across his face.

"How the hell did he break through my quirk!?" Shinsou thought, his mind racing to piece together what had happened.

Izuku twisted the dial, scanning for his next transformation. "Alright, if he's got Endeavor's quirk," Izuku muttered under his breath, "let's see how Heatblast stacks up against the Number Two Hero's flames!"

Monoma caught sight of the glowing Omnitrix and immediately reacted. "Oh no, you don't!" he shouted, unleashing a torrent of flames directly at Izuku. The fire roared across the arena, the heat palpable even to the audience.

Izuku's eyes widened, but his reflexes kicked in. As the flames hurtled toward him, he slammed his palm onto the Omnitrix. A brilliant green flash erupted from his wrist, momentarily blinding everyone in the stadium.

The audience collectively gasped, their eyes straining to make out what was happening. Suddenly, a blue blur zipped across the arena, too fast for anyone to track. The flames missed entirely, scorching the ground where Izuku had been just a second ago.

Before Monoma could process what was happening, his head snapped violently to the side as if struck by an invisible force. His body was sent flying, tumbling across the arena floor in a heap.

...

Monoma staggered back to his feet, his eyes locking onto Fasttrack, who crouched low, green electricity crackling around his form. The arena erupted with excited cheers as the realization of Izuku's transformation sank in.

"Holy crap, did you see that speed?!" an audience member exclaimed.

Present Mic's voice boomed over the speakers. "AND MIDORIYA UNLEASHES HIS RESIDENTIAL SPEEDSTER FORM-FASTTRACK! THAT SPEED IS INSANE! I COULD BARELY CATCH A GLIMPSE! HAWKS, NO OFFENSE, BUT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO HAND OVER THE TITLE OF FASTEST HERO TO MIDORIYA-BEING SECOND BEST ISN'T THAT BAD!"

The crowd buzzed with disbelief, some murmuring among themselves.

A Pro Hero wearing a Hawks-inspired outfit crossed his arms, a smug grin on his face. "Faster than the Number Three Hero? Yeah, right," he scoffed dismissively.

Fasttrack crouched lower, the air around him rippling from his charged energy. Without warning, his form vanished, replaced by a sharp sonic crack. A streak of blue and black tore across the arena as the speedster alien blitzed forward, closing the gap between himself and Monoma with terrifying precision.

Monoma reacted instantly, his body twisting as he unleashed a fiery shockwave. The roaring heat expanded outward, cracking the stone beneath it. Fasttrack's blur veered sharply to the side, but his sheer speed hurled him dangerously close to the platform's edge.

Fasttrack dug his clawed feet into the ground, carving deep, jagged trenches as he forced himself to a halt.

BOOM!

A thunderous sonic boom rocked the arena as the alien skidded to a stop, sending dust and debris blasting into the air. The force made the platform tremble, and the crowd shielded their faces against the rush of wind.

"Did... did he just break the sound barrier?" a voice in the audience asked, stunned.

The Hawks fan stared, his earlier smugness replaced with slack-jawed awe. "Okay... yeah, he's faster than Hawks," he admitted reluctantly.

The crowd erupted in cheers, the stadium alive with excitement.

...

Monoma growled, wiping sweat from his face as he unleashed another jet of flames. This one hit harder, the roaring inferno twisting the air with blistering heat. Fasttrack darted away in a blur, but Monoma tracked him, his flames scarring the platform and leaving molten trails where they struck.

Fasttrack zipped across the battlefield, his speed creating shockwaves as he dodged another devastating blast. The arena rumbled with every attack, cracks spiderwebbing across the platform's surface from the heat and impacts.

Monoma roared in frustration, his flames surging in intensity. A massive torrent of fire erupted from his palms, the heatwave slamming into the stadium walls with enough force to shake the stands.

Fasttrack gritted his teeth, his body a streak of blue light as he charged forward. The flames snapped at his heels, licking dangerously close as he weaved through the fiery assault.

Near the edge of the platform again, Fasttrack dug in his heels, the momentum ripping apart chunks of the arena.

BOOM!

Another sonic boom shattered the air as the speedster alien came to a screeching halt, the ground beneath him groaning under the strain. The dust cleared, revealing Fasttrack crouched low, his sharp green eyes fixed on Monoma.

...

The crowd roared with excitement, the deafening cheers echoing across the stadium. From the stands, the Pro Heroes watched with a mix of awe and curiosity, each analyzing the intense battle unfolding below.

"The kid's pretty fast," Ryukyu remarked, her gaze fixed on Fasttrack. "To move at such speed is impressive, but..." She cupped her chin, noting his obvious challenge with control.

Miruko smirked. "Definitely faster than a certain bird boy."

Hawks' eye twitched, a visible vein pulsing on his forehead. "Alright, alright! He's faster than me, I'll give him that!"

Ryukyu chuckled softly. "Sounds like someone's a little jealous," she teased.

Hawks crossed his arms, forcing a grin. "Okay, the kid's fast-faster than me on the ground, sure-but up in the sky? That's my domain." He jabbed a thumb to his chest, confidence lacing his tone.

Miruko snorted. "Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that, bird boy."

Ryukyu's thoughtful expression returned. "Still, the enclosed arena might not have been the best choice for him," she noted as she watched Fasttrack maneuver.

Down below, Fasttrack dodged another fiery torrent from Monoma, but the sharp turn sent him tumbling forward in a chaotic roll. He slammed his claws into the ground, carving deep gouges into the arena's floor.

BOOM!

Another sonic boom reverberated through the air as he came to an abrupt stop. Dust and debris kicked up in his wake, forcing the audience to shield their eyes.

Hawks smirked, leaning forward slightly. "That speed of his is starting to be more of a hindrance than a help," he said, his tone tinged with amusement.

...

Meanwhile, in Class 1-A's section, Iida adjusted his glasses, his mechanical precision returning as he analyzed the fight.

"It's astonishing how far Midoriya's speed has developed," he said, his voice laced with admiration.

Beside him, Kaminari's eyes widened as realization dawned. "Holy crap! I keep forgetting just how insanely fast Midoriya is!" he shouted, drawing nods of agreement from the others.

...

Bakugo clicked his tongue, arms crossed tightly, though his sharp eyes stayed fixed on the fight. "Tch. The nerd's just lucky he hasn't flown out of bounds yet."

The class tried to ignore his grumbling, but Iida folded his arms, his voice steady but thoughtful. "Yes... Midoriya's speed is quickly becoming more of a hindrance than anything else."

As if on cue, Fasttrack was forced to dodge yet another torrent of flames, narrowly avoiding the edge of the platform.

Momo's expression tightened with concern. "There's no denying it-the arena is far too limiting for Midoriya. Fasttrack's speed is impressive, but he's running out of space."

Kendo nodded in agreement. "And with his trouble stopping on a dime, in an arena like this?" She shook her head slightly."Midoriya is going to have to come up with one heck of a plan."

"Plus, Monoma's constantly blasting flames everywhere..." Kyoka added, her voice laced with worry. "That's a lot of heat to deal with in such a small area."

Fasttrack's body tensed as he struggled once again to dig his feet into the arena floor. He slid, digging deeper into the concrete, creating deep trenches as he fought to avoid hurtling out of bounds. Sweat soaked his fur, his every move calculated, but the flames kept coming.

Monoma let out a controlled breath before unleashing a devastating jet of fire that slammed into the ground, creating a shockwave that sent the very air shimmering. The intense heat radiated outward like a furnace, scorching everything in its path as the fire roared toward Fasttrack.

Fasttrack's eyes narrowed, and for a split second, the chaos of the battle seemed to fade. The distant shouts of the crowd, the roar of the flames-it all slowed, and he could feel the seconds stretch like minutes.

'Okay, Izuku... Let's think. The arena is too small for me to run around freely with Monoma constantly expelling this much heat. I can't get close enough to deliver a hit without risking getting burned.'

A determined expression crossed his face as he exhaled slowly. 'So maybe winning this fight isn't about going faster...'

The electric crackle around his body began to fade as he deactivated One For All, the vibrant energy dimming to a soft pulse. 'But by going slower...'

.

...

The electric crackle around Fasttrack's body began to fade as he deactivated One For All, the vibrant energy dimming to a soft pulse. But by going slower...

The world around him seemed to freeze for a brief moment, time slowing to a crawl. In that split second, he could see the fiery torrent of flames hanging in midair, suspended like an ominous wave about to crash. Fasttrack took in the stillness, calculating his next move.

Then, as if the universe itself snapped back into motion, the world unfroze. The flames surged forward, and Fasttrack dodged with practiced ease, his body weaving through the heat as if he were dancing through the air. The flames melted the cement below, leaving a glowing scar in their wake.

His eyes locked onto Monoma, who had exposed a small opening. Fasttrack moved-so quickly that he became nothing more than a blur. In an instant, he was behind Monoma, propelling himself into the air with a powerful leap. His foot connected with Monoma's back in a devastating kick, sending the boy rocketing across the stadium. The impact was thunderous, the sound of stone smashing against concrete echoing through the arena.

Fasttrack landed gracefully on the ground, his gaze fixed on Monoma. He watched as Monoma staggered to his feet, his body visibly changing. His skin had hardened into a rough, stone-like texture, the telltale sign of Kirishima's quirk now in play.

Fasttrack raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "I didn't think the red-haired copy of Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu's quirk would be this useful," he muttered to himself, impressed by the unexpected resilience.

Monoma grinned, his flames crackling around him like an inferno. "No offense to the metal head," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and arrogance. "But now, let's see if you can keep up!"

With a deep inhale, Monoma unleashed another torrent of flames, the blast ripping through the air with terrifying speed. The flames roared toward Fasttrack with the intent to incinerate.

...

Fasttrack darted to the side, narrowly avoiding another torrential blast of flames.

The heat of the flames had lost some of its previous intensity, and Fasttrack's sharp eyes caught sight of Monoma's strained movements.

Sweat poured down his face, his breath coming in heavy gasps as he tried to keep up the barrage of fire.

There was a visible tremor in his stance, and Fasttrack noticed that a portion of Monoma's forearm was burned, the raw skin charred and smoking.

Monoma, clearly aware of his waning stamina, sneered through clenched teeth. "I suggest you surrender, or I'll burn you," he growled, pushing his body upright despite his evident exhaustion. His flames roared to life once more, but this time, the color shifted.

The once orange blaze now turned a fierce, molten blue. The intensity of the flames shot up dramatically, their heat palpable even from a distance.

Fasttrack had no choice but to shield his eyes, the blinding light of the flames making it impossible to see clearly.

The stadium itself seemed to shudder with the rising temperature as waves of heat poured from the blue inferno, distorting the air around Monoma's outstretched hands.

A collective gasp rang out from the audience, the extreme heat now threatening to cook the very air.

The stone floor around Monoma began to crack, his flames leaving scorch marks across the ground as if the arena itself couldn't withstand the rising temperature.

...

"This boy..." Endeavour's voice was low, tinged with frustration."He's being reckless."

...

"Oh no, Dekiru!" Uraraka cried out, her voice filled with panic.

Hagakure, feeling the heat radiating from the arena, glanced around with wide eyes, the sweat on her face visibly beading. "T-The heat is rising... Do you think Midoriya will be okay?"

Momo's fingers curled into a fist, clutching her chest as she looked at the flaming inferno before them. Her heart hammered in her chest, but her voice held a note of certainty. "I have no doubt Midoriya will be okay."

But even she couldn't deny that the flames had become something far more dangerous.

...

Fasttrack narrowly dodged a massive fireball that detonated on impact, the resulting explosion sending a shockwave of searing heat rippling through the arena. He shielded his face with an arm, his fur singed at the edges, and stumbled back, panting heavily. Each breath felt like dragging in hot coals as the oppressive heat weighed down on him. Okay, Izuku... he thought, his mind racing even as his body screamed for relief. Focus!

He squinted through the shimmering haze that distorted the air, his gaze locking onto Monoma. He's got Endeavor's quirk right now... Hellflame. Fasttrack gulped, beads of sweat sliding down his face as he struggled to form a plan. What's the weakness?

The world slowed again as he tried to piece it together, the deafening roar of the crowd and Monoma's relentless flames fading into a dull hum. His eyes darted to Endeavor in the stands, his stern expression unchanging, and then to Todoroki, whose mismatched gaze held a quiet intensity.

Endeavor... he burns out if he uses too much energy too fast. Fasttrack's eyes widened. That's it.

The world snapped back into motion as Monoma hurled another fireball, this one blazing hotter than the last. Fasttrack dodged to the side, weaving through a continuous barrage of fiery blasts. The arena bore the scars of Monoma's onslaught-scorched earth, charred stone, and smoldering flames licking at the edges of the platform. The air itself seemed to burn as Monoma's attacks came faster and sloppier.

Finally, Monoma halted his assault, hunched over and gasping for air, his body trembling under the strain of the intense heat.

Fasttrack stood tall, despite the ache in his limbs and the heavy heat pressing down on him. He took a deep breath, steadying himself, before smirking and gesturing at Monoma with his thumb.

"C'mon, Monoma, is that all you've got?" he taunted, his voice ringing out across the stadium.

Kyoka's sharp hearing picked up his words, and her eyes widened in alarm. "What is he doing?!" she muttered, her heart pounding with worry.

The crowd fell silent for a moment, shocked by Fasttrack's boldness. Monoma's head snapped up, his expression darkening as Fasttrack continued.

"Seriously? I thought you had the quirk of the Number 2 Hero, not some two-bit villain with a knockoff fire quirk! I'm barely breaking a sweat here!" Fasttrack said, his voice dripping with mockery as he wiped his forehead dramatically.

Monoma's flames flared brighter, and the audience gasped.

Fasttrack gestured to his chest, grinning. "Where's the firepower? Come on! Bring the heat! One big blast, right here!"

...

"D-Dekiru, what is he doing?!" Ochako asked, clutching her hands together nervously.

Kyoka's heart hammered against her ribs, her fists clenched tightly. "Greenie, don't do something stupid," she muttered under her breath.

Tsuyu tilted her head, her large eyes narrowing. "Ribbit... he has a plan, right? Those flames are way too intense."

Mina bit her lip, her voice barely above a whisper. "Midori..."

Bakugou scoffed, his arms crossed as he leaned back. "Tch. Stop worrying. The damn nerd's not getting fried that easily."

Itsuka stood, her hands gripping the railing in front of her. "He's right," she said firmly, though her voice wavered slightly. "I know Midoriya. He wouldn't take a risk like this without a plan." She exhaled sharply, clutching her chest. Please let this work...

...

Monoma scowled, the arena now resembling a furnace. The intense heat distorted the air, causing Midnight to shield her face from the blistering wave.

"Hmph," Monoma sneered, flames crackling violently around him. "I'm not sure if the heat has fried your brain or if you're just desperate, but I'm done playing around. Don't blame me for what happens next!" He clenched his fists, his smirk widening as the flames swirled faster, the air itself roaring with energy.

Fasttrack stood firm, his feet digging into the scorched ground, eyes locked on Monoma. He didn't flinch, his body taut with determination.

Monoma roared, pulling both arms back as a massive torrent of flames erupted from his hands. The fiery wave surged forward like an inferno unleashed, the heat melting cement as it tore through the air straight toward Fasttrack.

The crowd erupted in panic.

"Oh no, Dekiru!" Ochako, Tsuyu, and Momo cried out in unison, fear lacing their voices as the flames roared closer.

"Midoriya!!" shouted Tenya and Denki, alarm etched across their faces.

"Holy crap, isn't that going too far?!" Mineta yelped, backing away instinctively.

"C'mon, Green," Kyoka urged silently, her hands trembling as she gripped the railing.

"Somebody stop him!" Pony shouted in English, her voice lost amid the chaos, though a few around her understood.

Itsuka's fists trembled as she clutched them tightly, her heart pounding in her chest.

--

Fasttrack inhaled sharply, the oppressive heat pressing against his skin. His eyes shot open, glinting with resolve, and in an instant, he shot forward, lightning crackling around him.

The crowd gasped as he dashed toward the wall of fire, his body a blur of motion. The heat lashed at him, searing the edges of his fur, but he pushed through, moving faster than anyone could follow.

Then, with precision born of instinct, Fasttrack twisted mid-run, his movements sharp and deliberate. He began circling the flames, running tight loops around the roaring inferno. The blazing torrent, initially aimed at him, bent and curved under the force of his momentum.

Lightning sparked from his body as he manipulated the air currents, his speed pulling the flames away from their original trajectory. The fiery wave twisted and spiraled, its destructive force redirected. The heat was unbearable, but Fasttrack gritted his teeth and pushed harder.

The crowd watched in awe as the flames coalesced into a vortex, spinning faster with each second. The orange and blue inferno swirled around Monoma, trapping him at the center of a blazing tornado.

Monoma's eyes widened in shock as the fire spun wildly around him, his control over the flames slipping. The intense heat and pressure forced him to stagger, his breath coming in labored gasps.

Fasttrack, still running at breakneck speed, gritted his teeth as his limbs began to tire. The blazing tornado raged around Monoma.

...

"Wait, what is Midori doing?" Ashido asked, her tone laced with confusion.

Todoroki's eyes widened in sudden realization. "He's overheating him-trapping Monoma in his own flames."

"W-Wait," Sero interjected, his brow furrowed. "But isn't that Endeavor's quirk? Isn't it like trying to overheat a campfire or an oven? That doesn't make any sense."

"It doesn't sound smart," Kirishima admitted, scratching the back of his head.

"You idiots!" Bakugou snapped, dragging a hand down his face in exasperation. "Quirks have limits. Even Endeavor can't just blast fire endlessly without paying for it. There's always backlash!" He jabbed a finger toward the swirling tornado of flames. "We all have our limits."

"And Midoriya just found his," Momo added, her voice steady but tinged with awe.

--

Inside the inferno, Monoma staggered as the intense heat became unbearable. His knees buckled, and he fell to the ground, sweat pouring down his face. Gritting his teeth, he attempted to launch another fiery blast, but the effort only added to the raging vortex around him.

Fasttrack, observing Monoma's struggle, saw his chance. The copied flames had reached their peak, their intensity faltering as Monoma's quirk timer began running out. Fasttrack skidded to a halt, dragging his feet across the scorched arena and leaving deep marks in the melted cement.

The flames around Monoma sputtered and dimmed, shrinking until they were no more than flickering embers scattered across the ground. The once-molten cement began to cool and solidify, its glossy surface hardening in uneven patches.

Monoma was left kneeling in the center of the battlefield, his body drenched in sweat and trembling from exhaustion. His breaths came in shallow, labored gasps, the fire that had once surrounded him reduced to a faint wisp of smoke curling into the air.

...

Fasttrack cracked his knuckles, a smirk tugging at his lips, and in a blink, he vanished from his spot.

He reappeared directly in front of Monoma, whose eyes widened in shock. Fasttrack had his fist cocked back, aimed low with unsettling precision. "Man crusher," he muttered, just loud enough for Monoma to hear.

Before Monoma could react, the punch connected squarely between his legs. A choked gasp escaped him, his knees buckling as he crumpled to the ground. His face contorted in agony, and within moments, he was clutching his manhood, foaming at the mouth as tears streamed down his cheeks.

The entire stadium fell into stunned silence. Present Mic's sunglasses slipped from his face, hitting the ground with a soft clatter. The girls gasped collectively, their hands flying to their mouths. Aizawa, uncharacteristically wide-eyed, blinked a few times in disbelief.

The men in the crowd winced in unison, their faces twisting in sympathetic pain. Some instinctively crossed their legs, looking away as if the mere sight of Monoma's collapse was too much to bear.

"Ah..." Someone said before outrage.

"That is low." Sero said."Even if it is Monoma."

"Fuck that's just evil man!"

"How could you hit him in the tendors? Yikes..."

"A blow to the scrotum unforgivable," Iida declared, crossing his arms sternly and averting his gaze. "Even if it is Monoma!"

Kendo, however, couldn't help herself. A chuckle escaped her lips, and she quickly wiped away a tear of laughter.

The boys in the stands shared a collective shiver of dread, many instinctively placing their hands over their own "precious areas" for protection.

--

On the field, Midnight visibly shivered, gripping her whip tightly as her hand trembled. She cleared her throat shakily, raising her voice.

"M-Monoma is... more than immobile! Midoriya wins!" she announced, though her tone betrayed her unease.

...

The crowd erupted into cheers, their energy shaking the stadium.

"Hell yeah! That was epic!" Setsuna hollered, pumping her fist in the air.

"But the way it ended was so... unflashy," Aoyama remarked, frowning slightly.

"It was super manly! Except for the last part!" Tetsutetsu added enthusiastically, nodding in agreement.

"Didn't think Midoriya would pull off a win like that," Sato said, shaking his head in amazement.

Bakugou let out a sharp "Hmph," before standing abruptly and beginning to walk away.

"Wait, where are you going?" Kirishima called out, leaning forward in his seat.

"My match is next, stupid hair!" Bakugou snapped without turning around. "It's not like they're gonna let Deku fight again after that!"

Uraraka froze in her seat, a cold sweat forming as the realization hit her. Her match with Bakugou was next.

Tsuyu noticed her unease and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Ochako. We'll all be rooting for you."

"Y-Yeah, you've got this," Jirou added, though her voice carried a hint of nervousness. The idea of going against someone as explosive and volatile as Bakugou made her uneasy.

"And besides," Tsuyu added with a small croak, "they still need to fix the stadium. You'll have a little time to get ready."

Uraraka nodded slowly, taking a deep breath as she tried to steady herself. Her eyes shifted back to Izuku.

...

Fasttrack panted heavily as the cheers of the crowd filled the stadium. Even though the match had ended in an unconventional way, the audience roared in approval, their excitement electrifying the air.

As the adrenaline subsided, Fasttrack reached for the Omnitrix module.

With a flash of green light, he returned to his human form, revealing Izuku-still shirtless, his well-defined muscles on full display.

For a moment, there was silence among his classmates, but Mina's jaw dropped, her eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets.

"D-Did Midori always have those muscles?" she stammered, unable to look away.

Several others blinked in surprise, their eyes trailing over Izuku's physique.

"Huh? Yeah, we've seen them all the time in the locker room," Kirishima said, shrugging as if it was no big deal.

"He... is more built than I thought," Tsuyu muttered, a faint blush dusting her cheeks as she avoided eye contact.

"Purge sinful thoughts, purge sinful thoughts, purge sinful thoughts," Ibara whispered fervently, her hands clasped in prayer as she squeezed her eyes shut.

"Wow... Midoriya's... wow," Setsuna said, her usual teasing tone replaced by stunned amazement, her face glowing red.

A soft click interrupted their stunned silence. Everyone turned to see Yui holding up her phone, nonchalantly snapping a photo. Without missing a beat, she took three more, her face calm despite the amused glint in her eyes.

"K-Kodai!" Kendo exclaimed, her face burning as she pointed accusingly at her classmate. "You can't just do that!"

Yui glanced at her briefly. "I'll send you some," she replied evenly, taking another photo.

Kendo opened her mouth to argue, but her words faltered. She sat back down, covering her face in shame as her blush deepened.

Momo, meanwhile, tried her best to avert her gaze, her cheeks flaming, but her resolve faltered. Despite her best efforts, her eyes kept drifting back.

Kyoka had her hands over her face, trying to cover the redness spreading across her cheeks. She peeked through her fingers, though, unable to help herself.

"Kodai, send me some if you don't mind!" Setsuna called out suddenly, waving a hand in the air with no shame.

Yui gave her a casual thumbs-up, leaving the others in varying states of disbelief, embarrassment.

...

Naomi's eyes widened in disbelief. She knew hero course students were physically fit, but this was beyond her expectations. The Izuku Midoriya she remembered had been skinny, wimpy even-but now? He looked like he could be competing in the Olympics.

A faint blush crept onto her cheeks, and she found herself struggling to look away.

"Midoriya's... uh... wow," one girl muttered, her voice trembling as she fanned herself, trying to cool down the heat rising in her face.

"Y-Yeah..." another girl stammered, her own cheeks a matching shade of red.

"That's... I guess that's why the girls seem to like him," someone else admitted begrudgingly, her tone tinged with jealousy and regret as she recalled past comments about no one ever wanting to date him.

The murmurs of awe and surprise were cut short by Kaminari's loud voice.

"Wait, but Yaomomo, haven't you, like, felt him up before?" he asked with zero tact, grinning mischievously.

The air turned deathly still. All the girls whipped their heads toward Momo, their expressions darkening as an almost tangible murderous aura filled the room.

"Oh, she did, huh?" Mina said, raising an eyebrow and staring pointedly at Momo, her tone sharp but teasing.

Momo froze, her eyes darting nervously between her classmates. A small, involuntary squeak escaped her lips as she instinctively shrank under their gazes.

"I... I can explain!" she squeaked, raising her hands defensively.

"Explain?" Kyoka repeated dryly before glaring daggers at Kaminari. She punched him hard on the shoulder, causing him to yelp in pain. "We told you to keep that to yourself, you idiot!"

Toru turned her attention to Kyoka, her arms crossed. "Oh, and you knew about this, huh?" she asked suspiciously.

Kyoka visibly paled, her usual cool demeanor vanishing. She gulped audibly, trying to make herself seem as small as possible. "I... uh... I'm in danger," she muttered under her breath.

Meanwhile, Ochako sat in silence, trying to suppress the storm of emotions swirling within her. She avoided looking directly at Izuku, but her gaze kept flickering toward him against her will. Finally, with her cheeks glowing pink, she stood abruptly.

"I-I'll just... head to the waiting room," she mumbled quickly, trying to escape the growing tension. As she left, she cast a quick, flustered glance at Izuku's shirtless form before hurrying away.

...

Mt. Lady stood, her mouth agape, staring at the jumbotron in disbelief. She couldn't believe what she had just witnessed-Izuku had made it through.

"See? Told ya," Death Arms said, flashing a grin while Kamui, perched on his shoulder, cawed in delight.

"To think you were betting against the only guy who could hook you up with Four Arms," Kamui teased, his tone dripping with mockery.

Mt. Lady's face flushed a bright red as she crossed her arms. "Whatever! He still has more fights to go. It's not over yet! And when he loses, I'll swoop in with my autograph and my dazzling charm to make him feel better." She winked confidently at the two men, who both stared back at her, unimpressed.

"Yeah, right," Death Arms muttered dryly. "No way a kid with a copy quirk can truly master Endeavor's power. No one can top the original."

"True, but still-him beating Monoma is an impressive feat," Kamui pointed out, giving Mt. Lady a knowing look. "Looks like I'll be hitting the jackpot soon."

Mt. Lady rolled her eyes and huffed away, clearly still not convinced.

...

Back in the waiting room, Ochako walked with her head down, her anxiety about fighting Bakugou building by the second. But there was something else gnawing at her. Focus, Ochako, you can do this.

Her mind wandered to Izuku, to the moment she had seen him with Itsuka. Her chest tightened, her heart racing with a mix of jealousy and confusion. Why does she have to confess?

Just... just... Why? Can't things just... She groaned, slapping her cheeks and clenching her fists. Okay, Ochako, whether she confesses or not is none of your business... The thought left a hollow, painful feeling in her chest.

Just... don't think about Dekiru... You have one goal in mind. Beat Bakugou. Ochako tried to refocus, but her steps felt heavy, and the pit in her stomach only deepened.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed behind her. "Uraraka, wait up!" Itsuka called out, breathless.

Ochako froze, her heart thudding in her chest. She turned slowly, offering a strained smile.

"I wanted to wish you luck!" Itsuka said, panting slightly, her eyes bright with sincerity and warmth, a small but genuine smile on her face.

"O-Oh..." Ochako stammered. "Thanks..." The words felt hollow, even as she tried to force a cheerful tone, rubbing her hands together nervously.

"You know... Midoriya has a bunch of notes on Bakugou. I'm sure he'd be happy to help you," Itsuka offered, her voice soft but filled with concern.

Ochako shook her head quickly. "Thanks, but it's alright," she replied quietly, the tightness in her throat making her words sound smaller than she intended. "Deku is amazing. He's already catching the pros' attention so quickly... Even in the Capture the Flag, I was basically backup for Todoroki..." Her voice trailed off, and she tried to shrug it off. "But..."

"I think I need to handle this on my own. He's always been so incredible, but... I've realized I've been relying on him too much," Ochako continued, her voice cracking slightly. She clenched her fists, fighting the urge to let her emotions spill. "I want to push myself to grow, just like he always does."

She turned away, taking a deep breath, her mind a swirl of conflicting feelings. "Everyone's fighting for their futures... So we're all rivals. That means I have to give it my all. I need to stop leaning on him and stand on my own two feet."

Itsuka watched her leave, her expression thoughtful, and a bit of sadness flickered in her eyes. She sighed softly before speaking again. "You know, even Midoriya gets help from time to time."

Ochako froze mid-step, her thoughts crashing together in an instant.

"He couldn't do a roundhouse kick to save his life when I started teaching him... but now he's..." Itsuka's voice trailed off, a soft blush creeping up her cheeks as she looked down, trying to hide the flustered smile that played on her lips.

"Anyway," Itsuka said, pushing through the awkwardness, "just saying, you have information on your opponent. It's not that uncommon to learn their strengths and weaknesses. You don't have to do everything alone."

Ochako clutched her chest, fighting the tightness there. I don't want to rely on him... but... She glanced at Itsuka, her emotions overwhelming her. "Yeah, I... guess... But I'm fine. Don't worry. I can do this on my own." The words left her lips with a shaky confidence.

"Uh, okay..." Itsuka replied gently, her expression softening. "You know it's not a bad thing to ask for help from... friends... and Midoriya..." She said, her voice trailing off with a hint of warmth, a slight blush coloring her cheeks.

Ochako turned away."Thanks but I'm okay..."

"Just even Midoriya needs help, we maybe rivals but who says we can't help our friends out?" Itsuka said."Plus as professional heroes it's kinda expected to know your opponent," Itsuka gave a wink."If it were me I'd totally be having Midoriya tell me everything he knows,"

"Well, I should go!" Itsuka said, clearly trying to give Ochako space, but there was an unease in her voice.

"Wait!" Ochako called out before she could leave, her voice desperate, caught between fear and curiosity.

Itsuka stopped and turned back, her expression curious and patient. "Hm?"

"Do... Do you really plan on confessing to Dekiru?" Ochako asked, her voice quieter than usual, almost hesitant.

Itsuka's face softened, her gaze becoming unreadable for a moment.

"I..." Ochako blurted out, unable to stop the rush of emotions. "I mean, he gets so flustered, and we're all working to be heroes..." She stumbled over her words. "Is confessing to him a good idea? And even if you start dating, then that's a whole heap of problems... Dekiru's aiming for Symbol Peace, and... Are you really going to confess to him?"

Itsuka met her gaze, calm and unwavering, she turned on her heel her ponytail swaying behind her.

"Yes."

...

"Geez, the Sports Festival is getting more violent every year," grumbled Recovery Girl, her eyes scanning Izuku's injuries as Toshinori sat beside her. "You've got first- and second-degree burns, some bruising, contusions, and mild ligament damage."

She leaned in and gently kissed his arm, her body glowing with green light. Izuku sighed in relief as the pain started to subside.

"T-Thank you," Izuku said, his voice filled with gratitude.

Recovery Girl then moved on to attend to Monoma, still unconscious on the other side of the room.

Toshinori, chuckling, commented, "For someone with Danger Sense, you'd think you'd avoid getting so banged up."

Izuku winced slightly at the remark, slouching a bit in his seat. "Well... I'm not perfect," he muttered, rubbing his neck. "But I think I finally understand what's going on. I'll figure it out."

Izuku paused for a moment, his brow furrowing in thought. "There was this one weird moment during the fight. Danger Sense went off, but everything just... went blank for a second. Then, it was like Danger Sense just woke me up again." He sounded confused, still trying to make sense of it all.

Toshinori raised an eyebrow. "Wake you up? Young Midoriya, from what I saw, you didn't seem to be under any kind of attack during the match."

Izuku shrugged, his expression uncertain. "Maybe it was that Shinso guy's Quirk? I don't know. It happened so quickly, I couldn't really catch what was going on."

Toshinori nodded. "Yeah, that's the challenge of learning to adapt in the heat of battle."

Izuku groaned. "And now I have to unlock and master seven different Quirks."

Toshinori corrected him, a calm smile on his face. "Six. You already have one active Quirk."

Izuku blinked in confusion. "Wait, what?"

"With your current Quirk, that leaves five more you'll be unlocking," Toshinori explained.

Izuku's eyes widened in realization. "But... weren't there eight previous users? If the first one's out, I should get the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and then your Quirk, right?"

Toshinori laughed softly, shaking his head. "Ah, now I see where the confusion came from. Young Midoriya, I was Quirkless too, just like you."

Izuku stared at him, stunned. "Quirkless...?"

Toshinori smiled warmly, a hint of nostalgia in his expression. "Yeah, I was. Honestly, I see a lot of my younger self in you."

Izuku felt a surge of disbelief and admiration. The number one hero... was Quirkless? The thought left him both awestruck and inspired.

Toshinori gave him an encouraging pat on the back. "Anyway, you should head back. Uraraka's match will be starting soon once they finish fixing the arena. I'm sure she'd like your support."

Izuku blushed furiously and stammered, "I-I don't know what you mean, All Might!" He quickly stood up and rushed out of the room, trying to escape the teasing smile on Toshinori's face.

Before he left, he glanced back at Monoma, still unconscious, foam at his mouth. Izuku winced slightly. "Sorry, Monoma," he muttered under his breath.

As he made his way down the hallway, his thoughts raced. I can't believe 'All Might was Quirkless... he thought, feeling a strange sense of connection. 'If he could make it this far... then I can too. The number one hero Quirkless just like me...' He smiled.

With renewed determination, Izuku decided to take a detour to find Uraraka, his heart beating faster with every step.

...

Uraraka stepped out of her waiting room, her heart pounding in her chest. Her hands were clammy, and she had to stop for a moment to shake off a nauseous feeling. "God... I feel like I'm about to throw up," Ochako thought as she released a heavy sigh, trying to calm her nerves.

"This is it... my chance to show the pros what I can do," she thought, clenching her fists and taking a deep breath. Just as she steeled herself, a familiar voice called out from behind.

"Uraraka!"

She froze mid-step, startled by the sound. Turning around, her heart fluttered as she saw Izuku jogging toward her, his ever-present notebook in hand. He was panting slightly, his expression a mix of determination and exhaustion. Her eyes softened involuntarily, and her cheeks turned pink as her pulse quickened.

"I..." Izuku huffed, leaning forward and resting his hands on his knees. "Sorry... I wanted to catch you before your match. Guess the side effects of Recovery Girl's Quirk are still... ugh."

He looked up at her mid-sentence, and their eyes met. For a moment, the world seemed to pause. Izuku's heart skipped a beat when he noticed her flustered expression, her cheeks rosy and her lips slightly parted as though she wanted to speak but couldn't find the words. Ochako, on the other hand, felt like her heart was about to burst from her chest.

The two stared at each other, caught in a moment they couldn't quite explain, before Ochako finally snapped herself out of it, her face even redder than before. She shook her head as if trying to dispel the swirling feelings inside her.

"D-Dekiru, what are you doing here?" Ochako stammered, then quickly realized how rude that must have sounded. "I-I mean, congratulations on winning your match!"

Izuku couldn't understand why Ochako had been looking at him like that or why her face was so red. For that matter, why was his own heart pounding so hard? It felt like standing there and talking to her was as intense as facing the Nomu all over again.

He stood upright, his face still flushed. "I-I know Bakugou can be scary, but... um... I just..." Izuku stumbled over his words, trying to calm his racing heart. "A-And well, you're always helping me, so I thought..."

Izuku scratched the back of his neck, struggling to organize his thoughts. "Since you're always supporting me, I just wanted to say good luck! I-I know you can do this!"

Ochako's breath hitched, and her heart raced even faster at his words. She could barely process what he was saying; she was too focused on the sincerity in his voice and the earnest look in his eyes.

"You have so much faith in me, even though I don't think I'm all that great," Izuku continued, his voice growing steadier. "But you don't seem to ever doubt me. So, I'm putting my faith in you, too. And..." He paused, smiling softly. "I hope you know I'm going to beat you in the semi-finals!"

Ochako's face turned a deep shade of red, and she gave him a shaky thumbs up. "I-I'll see you in the semi-finals, Dekiru."

Izuku grinned, reaching into his notebook. "By the way, Kacchan always starts with a right hook. His reflexes are insane, so getting a touch on him won't be easy-"

"Whoa, Dekiru!" Ochako waved her hands frantically. "I don't need-"

"I know you're going to say no," Izuku said, cutting her off with a sheepish smile. "But you've done so much for me. Giving you a little advice about Kacchan makes me feel like I'm helping you for once."

Ochako blinked, her heart fluttering again. "I-I don't do that much..." she muttered.

Realizing she was taking up precious time, she took a step back. "I should get going!" she called, waving as she turned to run off. But after a few steps, she looked over her shoulder, her cheeks still tinged pink. "Wish me luck, Dekiru."

Izuku stood there for a moment, watching her retreating figure, his heart still pounding in his chest. He smiled softly. "Good luck, Uraraka," he whispered, his voice full of quiet confidence.

...

As Izuku was about to leave, the sound of Ochako's waiting room door opening stopped him in his tracks. He froze like a statue when he saw Iida step out. A wave of awkwardness washed over him, realizing someone might have overheard his conversation.

"As expected of our class representative, encouraging our classmates and friends!" Iida exclaimed, wiping away a theatrical tear.

Izuku chuckled nervously, thinking Iida was being a bit overdramatic. "Thanks... But, uh, come on. We should head out and watch her match," he said, trying to change the subject.

"Don't worry, Midoriya. I'm sure Bakugou wouldn't use his full explosions on a girl," Iida reassured him as they began walking back toward the arena.

Izuku cringed slightly at the thought. "Yeah, he would," he muttered, causing Iida's jaw to drop. "Kacchan doesn't care about things like gender. He sees everyone as a challenge. Besides, holding back wouldn't make sense when we're all trying to give it our best. That's just not who he is."

Iida nodded thoughtfully as they arrived at the Class 1-A seating area. The energy immediately shifted as their classmates noticed them approaching.

"Midoriya, that was amazing!" Kirishima called out, giving him a thumbs up.

"Holy crap, congrats, dude!" Mina added, bounding into his line of sight. "You were like whoosh, then bam! And the next thing we knew, you were on the other side of the arena!"

"Taking on the number two hero's Quirk and surviving... Impressive," Tokoyami remarked with his usual quiet intensity.

From the Class 1-B side, Kinoko peeked over shyly. "Y-You were really cool, Midoriya," she said softly, her cheeks turning a faint pink.

Izuku's face flushed at the compliment. "Thanks," he replied, rubbing the back of his neck. "But, uh, now I know to avoid going up against Fasttrack. Getting launched out of bounds like that was kind of humiliating."

"You still pulled through in the end!" Mina grinned. "That recovery was epic. Seriously, you're a total powerhouse out there!"

"Midoriya, we saved you a seat!" Iida announced, gesturing to the middle row.

Izuku glanced around and saw Mina patting the seat beside her with a playful smirk. "Come sit next to me," she teased.

He hesitated briefly but then moved to the middle row, ultimately taking a seat between Tsuyu and Ashido. Iida, standing off to the side, deflated as he noticed where Izuku sat.

"That was my seat..." Iida mumbled dejectedly.

"Sorry, Iida," Mina chimed in quickly. "Mind if I sit here? I promise I'll owe you one for this!"

Iida adjusted his glasses, his usual resolve returning. "Not to worry," he said before settling next to Shoji. Kyoka and Momo were seated directly behind Izuku, with Toru taking the spot beside them.

As Izuku sat down, the conversation shifted back to his fight with Monoma.

"I still can't believe how you countered his fire blast at the end," Tokoyami commented.

"It was really close," Tsuyu added in her straightforward tone. "You could have been burned badly."

Izuku chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head. "Though I do wish the Omnitrix gave me a more fire-resistant form."

"Okay, seriously though, Greenie," Kyoka cut in, her tone sharp but tinged with concern. "Do you have a death wish or something? Charging headfirst into Monoma's fire like that? I get the whole 'never give up' thing, but that was seriously stupid."

Izuku's face flushed red, and Kyoka smirked at his reaction, leaning back with a teasing glint in her eyes.

"Keep pulling stunts like that, and I might have to start calling you burned broccoli," she teased, the nickname making clear reference to how close he'd come to getting scorched.

"Still," Momo interjected, her voice calm but carrying a note of admiration, "it was an incredible display of adaptability. To be able to shift the flow of the battle so effectively... The pros are definitely taking notice." Her cheeks tinted pink as she added, "It was... inspiring, to say the least."

Izuku turned to her, startled by the compliment, but before he could say anything, Kyoka smirked again.

"Yeah, yeah, adaptability or not, just try not to get yourself fried next time, Greenie," she said, her teasing hiding the genuine worry in her tone.

Izuku blushed at the praise, quickly turning his attention to the arena as the next match was about to start, hoping to focus on anything but the growing heat on his cheeks.

Next to him, Tsuyu rested a finger on her chin, her large eyes narrowing slightly in thought. After a moment, she called out, "Midoriya."

"Hm?" Izuku glanced at her curiously.

"You know I like to say what's on my mind," Tsuyu said plainly, her tone calm but pointed.

"Yeah... why?" Izuku asked, feeling a flicker of unease.

"Your quirk is a lot like All Might's," she stated, tilting her head slightly as if it was the most natural observation in the world.

Izuku froze, his mind going blank for a second before scrambling to respond. "W-What?! My quirk isn't anything like All Might's! There are so many differences-like, I transform! And there's green electricity! And-" His words tumbled out in a frantic rush.

"Hold on," Kirishima interrupted, rubbing the back of his neck. "All Might doesn't, like, break his bones every time he fights, though."

Izuku sighed in relief, hoping the conversation would shift. Unfortunately, Monoma chose that moment to return from the infirmary, his usual smug expression firmly in place.

"Well, yeah, sure," Monoma said, casually waving Kirishima's argument aside, "but that's kind of a terrible comparison."

The group collectively frowned in confusion. "Huh? What do you mean?" Kirishima asked.

Monoma smirked, clearly relishing the moment. "I mean, All Might's a 40-year-old man with decades of experience and training with his quirk. Of course, he doesn't break his bones anymore. But the raw power? It's basically identical. You all saw Midoriya during the USJ fight when he used Four Arms, right? He was basically All Might with an extra pair of limbs."

The group fell silent as they recalled the incident. Red electricity had crackled around Izuku's transformed body, and for a moment, he truly had resembled a younger, less-polished All Might.

Yanagi from Class 1-B joined in, her voice thoughtful. "It could also be an example of quirk singularity-the idea that quirks are evolving to become stronger, sometimes too strong for our bodies to adapt to."

Momo's face darkened with concern at the idea. She agreed with Yanagi's observation but didn't like thinking about the potential consequences for Izuku.

Todoroki, sitting nearby, listened silently, his expression unreadable. While he didn't say anything, he couldn't deny Monoma's logic.

Izuku, however, was panicking internally. Dammit, Monoma! Just stop talking!

The group's attention zeroed in on Izuku, their curious and concerned gazes making him sweat. Thankfully, the tension was broken by Present Mic's booming voice.

"AND HE WAS KIND OF FAMOUS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL!! THIS ISN'T THE FACE OF A REGULAR PERSON! FROM THE HERO COURSE-KATSUKI BAKUGOU!!"

The crowd erupted in cheers as Bakugou strode into the arena with his usual scowl.

Izuku slumped in his seat, exhaling in relief as the focus shifted to someone else.

...

Bakugou's intense glare locked onto his opponent as Present Mic continued, his voice electrifying the stadium.

"VERSUS! SHE'S THE ONE PERSONALLY ROOTING FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE! FROM THE HERO COURSE-IT'S OCHAKO URARAKA!!"

Ochako stepped onto the platform, taking a deep breath to steady herself. Her eyes gleamed with determination as she faced Bakugou's unrelenting stare.

Izuku tensed in his seat, his hands gripping his knees tightly. As the tension in the arena grew palpable, Tsuyu stood and moved closer, settling into the seat beside him.

"Next match is...That match...That is bound to be the most upsetting." Tsuyu said nervously.

"I feel like I might look away the entire time." Kyoka said.

Izuku had bead of sweat run down.'You can donit Uraraka...'

"Midoriya," she said softly, placing her hand over his.

Izuku blinked in surprise, looking down at their joined hands. "T-Tsuyu?"

"You looked like you needed someone to calm you," she said matter-of-factly, her expression neutral but kind. "I'm worried about Ochako too."

Izuku felt a wave of gratitude wash over him, though his heart still pounded in his chest. "Y-Yeah," he stammered, turning his gaze back to the arena.

Ochako raised her hands, adopting a ready stance as Bakugou's palms began to crackle with energy.

"Do your best, Uraraka!" Izuku thought, his jaw tightening as he watched the confrontation unfold.

"This battle is about to explode!!" Present Mic's voice echoed through the stadium.

Bakugou, holding his arms out to his sides as small explosions popped and hissed in his palms, smoke curling upward ominously.

...

Naomi glared at Ochako, her fists clenching tightly. She couldn't shake the memory of Ochako standing up to her, defending Deku-of all people, Deku! It made her stomach churn to see how blatant Ochako's feelings for him were.

Ishida leaned back in his seat with a smirk. "Damn, this is going to be a bloodbath."

...

"Let's rock!"

Izuku watched with bated breath as Ochako rushed toward Bakugo, her eyes fierce and unyielding. She tried to anticipate his right hook, but Bakugo swung his arm faster than expected, unleashing an explosion that sent her sprawling backward.

Izuku's breath hitched, his knuckles whitening. But to his amazement, Ochako climbed back to her feet, bruised but undeterred. She sprinted forward again, disappearing into the smoke Bakugo left in his wake.

Bakugo shifted to blast another direction, only to see a discarded U.A. jacket fluttering to the ground. His crimson eyes narrowed-too late. Ochako emerged from behind him, her fingertips mere inches from his back.

"She's got him!" someone shouted from the crowd.

Bakugo twisted instantly, an explosion bursting from his palm. The force struck Ochako squarely, sending her hurtling across the arena.

"No: Izuku's voice cracked as he leaned forward, gripping the railing. "Kacchan's reactions are too fast!"

From the stands, Kaminari shook his head. "With that kind of reflex speed, it's impossible for her to close the gap. She can't activate her Quirk without touching him, and Bakugo's not giving her a chance."

"She just needs one touch to win!" Iida argued, his tone heavy with hope.

Momo frowned, biting her lip. 'Even if she touches him, he can still use his explosions to stay airborne,' she thought, her analytical side battling against the part of her that desperately wanted Ochako to succeed.

Ochako charged again, only to be blasted back once more. Each time she hit the ground, she forced herself up, her uniform scorched and her skin marred by burns.

"Not yet!" Ochako's voice rang out, defiant and raw. She surged forward again, but Bakugo met her with another explosion, slamming her into the fractured concrete.

Izuku flinched with every hit, his worry etched across his face.

"This is too much," Kyoka muttered, her hands flying up to shield her eyes.

"Uraraka keeps attacking without rest, but... this is..." Iida said.

"This is a massacre," a Pro Hero in the stands murmured grimly.

"Her earlier substitution attempt failed, and now she's just throwing herself at him."

Monoma scoffed, rolling his eyes. "What an idiot."

"Shouldn't someone stop this?" a spectator shouted at Midnight, their voice rising above the murmurs of the concerned crowd. "He's going too far!"

Ochako, battered and bruised, pushed herself up once more. Blood trickled from the corner of her lip, but her eyes never wavered. She dashed toward Bakugo again, her determination unbroken.

"Not yet!" she screamed, her voice cracking under the strain.

Bakugo's relentless explosions tore apart the arena floor, but Ochako kept running, refusing to back down. The air filled with the acrid scent of smoke and sweat as the crowd fell into an uneasy silence.

Izuku gritted his teeth, his heart aching as he watched her tenacity. "Ochako..." he whispered, both in awe and agony.

...

"You're absolutely right-I mistakenly left out Yubi's internal motivations and his reasoning for stepping in as a way to make amends with Izuku. Let me correct this and restore that key aspect of the scene while keeping the flow intact. Here's the revised rewrite:

--

"Hey! How can you say you want to be a Hero like that?! If there's such a huge difference in your abilities, then hurry up and send her out of bounds! Stop bullying and playing with the poor girl!"

"Yeah! Yeah!"

The crowd erupted, their shouts of disapproval echoing across the stadium. Boos and jeers filled the air, aimed squarely at Bakugo and his unrelenting assault.

"THERE'S BOOING FROM PART OF THE CROWD... BUT HONESTLY, I ALSO FEEL THE SA-"

Aizawa, with a sharp movement, elbowed Present Mic in the ribs, cutting him off mid-sentence.

"Was that a Pro saying he's playing around?" Aizawa asked, his voice as dry as his expression. "How many years have you been a pro?"

"Huh?"

"If you're saying that with a straight face, there's no point in you watching anymore. Go home! Go home and look into changing careers!" Aizawa's glare was as cold as steel, silencing not only Present Mic but a good portion of the stadium.

The crowd murmured in confusion, unsure of what Aizawa was trying to say. His words hit differently for the pros in the stands, some of whom shifted uncomfortably in their seats.

"EH?! WHAT DO YOU MEAN, ERASER HEAD?!" Present Mic finally managed, his voice cracking slightly under the weight of his friend's judgment.

"Bakugo is being careful because he's acknowledged the strength of his opponent," Aizawa said evenly. "She made it this far because she's strong. It's because he respects her that he can't afford to hold back or let his guard down."

The battle raged on below, Ochako pressing forward despite taking blast after blast.

Yubi sat far away from his old group of "friends," watching the match with growing frustration. Bakugo was seriously being praised for this? For blasting a girl who was clearly struggling? It made his blood boil.

Yubi leaned back, arms crossed tightly, but his thoughts wandered. He knew how much Ochako meant to Izuku. He also knew he owed Izuku, big time. After everything he'd done-standing by and letting others torment him, he has no right to be hero.

But maybe... just maybe, this was his chance to do something, even if it was small.

Yubi scowled as he watched another blast knock Ochako back. His jaw tightened as a memory surfaced: one of his heroics instructors in his trashy old high school drilling the basics into his class.

"Heroes take down their opponents efficiently and minimize collateral damage! Anything else is just reckless!"

Yubi clenched his fists. That lesson stuck with him, even now. And looking at Bakugo's smug, unmoving figure, it was clear the blonde didn't care about that principle at all.

"Aren't heroes supposed to take down their opponents as efficiently as possible?! With as little damage as possible?!" Yubi shouted, his voice cutting through the noise. "What the hell do you mean he's taking her seriously?! If he did, he'd go on the offensive instead of standing there toying with her by just countering her attacks!"

A hush fell over a portion of the stadium as people began to murmur in agreement.

"That's... a valid point,"

The focus shifted back to the fight, and it became glaringly obvious that Yubi was right. Bakugo hadn't moved more than a few steps from his starting position, simply countering Ochako's every attempt to get closer.

The crowd grew louder, their frustration boiling over.

"YOU THINK THIS IS HERO MATERIAL?!?"

"WHAT KIND OF HERO BEATS SOMEONE TO A PULP JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN?!"

"HAVE SOME DECENCY AND STOP TORTURING THE GIRL, YOU BRAT!"

"Maybe YOU need to look for a different profession!"

The jeers grew louder, spilling over into the commentary booth as Present Mic fumbled to regain control of the narrative.

"Bakugo isn't going to win over any fans with this kind of display," Midnight muttered under her breath.

...

Izuku's eyes widened in shock as Yubi's words stirred the crowd into a frenzy against Bakugou.

"Jesus, can't believe the crowd turned on Bakugou like that," Kirishima muttered, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"They do have a point," Setsuna said, leaning back in her seat. "The guy's basically just toying with her."

"Mh," Yui added with a curt nod, her gaze fixed on the arena.

Itsuka turned to Izuku, noticing how tightly he clutched his notebook, worry etched on his face. His eyes flicked between the battlefield and the ground as though willing Ochako to keep standing.

Monoma smirked, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "That's the thing about villains-they get too busy toying with the hero until the hero pulls a fast one and flips the fight." He elbowed Itsuka and gestured toward the sky.

Itsuka's eyes widened, and then an ear-to-ear grin spread across her face. "He's gonna pay for not going on the offensive," she said confidently, her tone brimming with excitement.

Izuku blinked, confused, as he glanced at her.

The smoke began to clear, revealing Ochako still on her feet. She was battered, panting heavily, but her eyes burned with determination.

"Not yet," Bakugou thought, narrowing his eyes. "She's tougher than she looks." For the first time, he felt the sting of respect.

"It's about time," Ochako said weakly, her voice trembling but firm. She brought her hands together, pressing her fingertips together. "Thanks, Bakugou," she muttered.

Bakugou tilted his head, confused by her words.

"...for not letting your guard down!" she finished aloud, her voice strong.

"Release."

Bakugou's eyes widened. "Huh?"

"It can't be helped from where Bakugou is," Monoma cut in, his smirk widening as he now commanded everyone's attention. "But it's embarrassing for a pro in the stands to start booing without noticing what's really happening."

The crowd turned to Monoma, intrigued.

"She kept her body low while advancing," Monoma explained, pointing toward the sky. "She concentrated his attacks on the ground, storing up weapons. Then she blinded him with relentless attacks to narrow his field of vision."

The audience collectively gasped as they followed Monoma's gesture. High above the arena, a massive collection of rubble and debris hovered in the air, shimmering slightly under the midday sun.

"She was using her Quirk all along," Monoma finished, his voice filled with smug satisfaction.

"I'm gonna win!" Ochako shouted, her voice carrying over the stunned silence. She released her Quirk, and the debris began to rain down toward Bakugou like a meteor shower.

"A METEOR SHOWER?!" Present Mic exclaimed, his jaw dropping.

"You should have noticed," Aizawa said flatly, his tone holding a trace of disapproval.

"She had a desperate plan like that up her sleeve?" Mina yelled, her jaw nearly hitting the floor. Around her, the rest of Class 1-A and B watched in shock, their eyes wide as they pieced together Ochako's strategy.

Izuku's mouth fell open as he stared up at the sky. "She had a plan all along!" he said in awe, pride swelling in his chest.

Watching her fight stirred something in him-a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time. His heart raced as he watched Ochako give her all, refusing to back down no matter how dire the odds. Shaking his head, he tried to dismiss the emotion and focus on the fight.

Ochako sprinted toward Bakugou with everything she had left.

"With this much debris, whether he dodges or counters, there'll definitely be an opening!" she thought. "At that moment, I'll get close and finish it with my secret move!"

Her eyes burned with determination as she extended her hand toward him. "I will win! I'll win and be just like Dekiru!"

She was inches away-just fingertips away-from reaching him. Victory was within her grasp.

But Bakugou moved faster.

He raised his palm and unleashed a massive explosion toward the sky. The shockwave obliterated the debris in an instant, scattering dust and smoke in all directions. The force of the blast sent Ochako flying back, slamming her into the ground.

The sheer power of the explosion rippled through the stadium, making the audience stumble back in their seats. A few spectators were even blown off their feet by the shockwave.

Silence followed, broken only by the sound of debris falling like rain.

"Since you're friends with Deku, I thought you'd be up to something..."

The smoke cleared, revealing Bakugou standing unscathed.

Ochako's heart pounded in her chest, her breath hitching as her wide eyes locked onto him in disbelief. "How? How is he so strong?" Her voice trembled, filled with horror and awe. It wasn't just her-Izuku was equally stunned, his eyes wide in shock.

"That was at least twice as strong as the explosion he fired during the Battle Trials," Izuku thought, feeling a nervous chill run through him. 'To think he did that without any support items... Just how much power did he gain in the last month, Kacchan?'

"B-BAKUGO DELIVERS A SATISFYING EXPLOSION! HE BLASTS BOLDLY THROUGH URARAKA'S SECRET PLAN!" Present Mic's voice cracked, unable to hide his shock as he struggled to comprehend the sheer force on display.

Bakugou stood tall, breathing heavily. His shaking arm was a sign that even he had pushed himself to his limits. "That was close," he muttered, but his usual arrogance never left his gaze.

Ochako's mind was reeling, trying to process everything in a haze. "I-I did everything I could...! But he wasn't fazed at all." Her legs trembled, threatening to give way beneath her, yet she refused to let herself fall. Her breath came in short gasps, her body screaming for rest. But in the midst of it all, a burning desire began to surge inside her.

"No..." Her voice was low, yet filled with resolve. "I want to be like Dekiru. He wouldn't give up."

Izuku's unwavering determination flashed in her mind-his struggle, his constant fight to push beyond his limits. She thought of how he pushed himself every single day, not just for himself, but for everyone around him.

"He's pushing himself every day..." Ochako stood, her body visibly weakened, her legs shaking as though they could give way at any moment. But her resolve was ironclad.

"For me... For my parents... I can't give up! I won't give up!!"

Bakugou smirked, clearly entertained by her persistence. He raised his hands, explosions crackling in his palms. His eyes gleamed with excitement, eager to see how far she would push herself.

But Ochako wasn't listening. She wasn't thinking about Bakugou anymore. The memories of Izuku flooded her mind-his smile, his stuttered words, how he always got flustered but never gave up. How he believed in her, even when she didn't believe in herself.

"Why... Why am I getting stronger?" Ochako thought, her body moving of its own accord. Despite the exhaustion that weighed on her, despite every instinct telling her to stop, she stood taller, her determination refusing to be crushed.

The rubble around her began to float, her quirk activating with an intensity she had never felt before. The realization hit her all at once.

"I... I can do this. I'm not just doing this for myself... I'm doing this for him."

Her hands glowed a vibrant pink as the ground beneath her feet cracked and shifted. Bakugou's eyes widened in shock as his feet slowly lifted from the ground. The shock of the moment hit him harder than any explosion ever could.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Bakugou shouted, his voice tinged with disbelief as his body floated upwards. He struggled against the force, his usual confidence faltering for just a moment.

The entire arena was in stunned silence, even Class A and B standing frozen. Denki stammered, wide-eyed, "What... What's happening?" His voice was almost a whisper, unsure if his brain had short-circuited again. The others shared confused glances, jaws hanging open.

Izuku, too, couldn't process what was happening. "Her quirk... It lets her nullify the gravity of anything she touches. So... how is Kacchan floating?"

Ochako's breath was ragged, her body trembling with the effort of controlling the floating debris. But through the chaos in her mind, one single thought pushed through with clarity.

"I love him."

Her chest tightened with the force of the realization, and the rubble in the arena shifted, rising even higher. Ochako moved her hand, her eyes locked on the floating Bakugou, her newfound strength making the very air crackle with power. For the first time, she wasn't just using her quirk mechanically-she was wielding it with purpose, with raw emotion driving her.

The rubble spun around her, controlled by her will. She didn't need to think about it anymore. It was natural. It was instinctive.

And all the while, Izuku's image stayed in her mind. She could feel his belief in her, his kindness, his unwavering support. And in that moment, she knew-this was for him. For herself. For everyone.

...

"CAN YOU ALL BELIEVE THIS?! SOMEHOW, URARAKA ACTUALLY MANAGED TO MAKE BAKUGOU FLOAT! THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE!" Present Mic's voice thundered across the stadium, matched only by the astonished gasps of the crowd.

In the stands, Aizawa's typically stoic expression betrayed a flicker of surprise. "I don't understand..." he muttered, narrowing his eyes at the scene unfolding below. His gaze shifted to Uraraka's glowing hands. "...Those movements...they almost look like..." He glanced toward Midoriya in the stands. "...Galilean mechanics."

Bakugou floated amidst rubble and debris, chunks of the arena helplessly orbiting him in the air. His expression twisted in shock, but it lasted only a moment before his fiery resolve reignited. This wasn't over. Not by a long shot. He clenched his fists, preparing to unleash his explosions. There was no way he was losing-not after coming this far, not after setting his sights on surpassing Deku.

Ochako glanced at her own hands, noticing the faint pink glow radiating from them. Her heart pounded in her chest, faster and harder as thoughts of Izuku fueled her determination. She clenched her fists tightly. "I can do this," she whispered to herself. "I will do this."

She smiled, a fierce light in her eyes as she hurled the floating rubble toward Bakugou. The boy's instincts kicked in immediately, his palms erupting with violent explosions. One after another, the blasts obliterated the incoming boulders, sending shards scattering across the arena like shrapnel.

Ochako didn't let up. She flung more debris with everything she had. Bakugou snarled, widening his stance mid-air as he thrust his palms outward. With a deafening roar, a massive explosion tore through the air, scattering the rubble out of bounds in a fiery display.

Ochako gritted her teeth, sweat pouring down her face. She thrust her hand forward, targeting Bakugou directly. A sudden force shoved him backward, the boundary lines drawing ever closer. Realizing the danger, Bakugou twisted mid-air, thrusting his palms behind him.

"DIE!" he roared, releasing a colossal explosion that countered her gravitational push. The sheer force sent shockwaves rippling across the arena.

"I'M GOING TO WIN!" Ochako shouted back, her voice echoing with unyielding determination. She poured every ounce of her strength into her Quirk, pushing harder against him, trying to send him flying out of bounds.

Bakugou's explosions came faster and fiercer, but the strain was evident. His skin began to tear under the relentless force, his palms bloodied and raw. Every blast sent jolts of searing pain up his arms, yet he refused to stop.

Izuku gripped the railing tightly, his knuckles white. His heart pounded as he watched the brutal struggle unfold. Finally, summoning every bit of courage, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "C'MON, URARAKA! YOU CAN DO IT! THROW HIM OUT! I KNOW YOU CAN WIN!"

The crowd fell silent for a split second, stunned by the normally shy boy's impassioned cry. Then, as if ignited by his words, the arena erupted into cheers.

"You can do it, Uraraka!" Tsuyu shouted, clutching Izuku's hand.

"Show that jerk who's boss!" Kyoka yelled, her usual sarcasm replaced by raw support.

"Go Uraraka! You can do this!" Momo called, her voice full of encouragement.

"YOU CAN DO IT!" Iida added, his fists clenched in solidarity.

"YEAH! BEAT HIM!" The rest of Class 1-A joined in, their voices blending with the roar of the crowd.

"C'MON, YOU HEARD MIDORIYA! LET'S GO, URARAKA!" Present Mic bellowed. "SHOW THEM WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF!"

"You're supposed to be unbiased," Aizawa deadpanned.

"SCREW THAT! TAKE THAT BLONDE HOTHEAD OUT OF HERE!!!"

The crowd erupted in a frenzy, voices overlapping in a cacophony of support for the underdog.

"YOU CAN DO THIS, URARAKA!"

"SHOW HIM YOU'RE STRONGER!"

"KEEP FIGHTING!"

Ochako's body screamed in protest as she pushed harder, every muscle trembling under the strain. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her vision blurring at the edges. But she couldn't stop. She refused to stop. The weight of the crowd's cheers, her classmates' belief in her, and her own resolve burned brighter than the pain.

Bakugou wasn't faring much better. His explosions were beginning to falter, each blast weaker than the last. Blood dripped from his torn hands, splattering onto the cracked arena floor or floating briefly in the air before falling. His teeth clenched so hard it felt like they might crack.

"DAMMIT!" Bakugou roared, pouring the last of his strength into a final, desperate explosion. The blast tore through the air with enough force to momentarily silence the crowd.

"No... dammit," Ochako whispered, her voice breaking as her quirk finally gave out.

The rubble fell to the ground with a loud crash, and Bakugou, no longer suspended, dropped like a stone, landing on the arena floor with a heavy thud. He winced as he landed, his body collapsing onto his knees.

Ochako staggered, her legs buckling beneath her as she fell face-first onto the ground, unmoving. The arena was silent for a moment, the only sound the labored breathing of Bakugou as he looked at his bloodied hands, his expression a mixture of frustration and relief.

"Uraraka is out of commission! Bakugou wins!" Midnight announced, her voice carrying over the stunned silence.

...

The crowd let out a collective groan of disappointment but quickly followed it up with a round of applause for Ochako's valiant effort. Murmurs rippled through the stands, a mixture of admiration and critique filling the air.

"Man, that girl was one hell of a fighter!"

"Seriously! She held her own against him of all people."

"I was rooting for her... She deserved that win more than Bakugou!"

"Yeah, but she pushed herself too far. You could see she was running on fumes by the end."

"That Bakugou guy really screwed himself over! If he'd gone on the offensive sooner, he wouldn't have almost gotten tossed out."

"Overconfident jerk. Guess that's what happens when you underestimate someone like her."

"Still, props to him for not holding back, but man, she's got guts."

"She's the real deal. Win or lose, she just proved she's going to be a hero to watch."

...

Izuku felt his heart sink as he watched Uraraka being carried away on a stretcher. Her exhausted, unconscious form was a painful reminder of how much she had given. After a few minutes of staring blankly, he wiped his eyes and stood, his chest heavy with guilt and sadness.

No one tried to stop him; it wasn't hard to guess where he was going. His footsteps were slow, deliberate, as he made his way toward her waiting room. His mind raced with possible things to say. Fighting and strategizing came naturally to him, but offering comfort? That was a battle he never felt prepared for.

"I'll see you in the semi-finals, Dekiru."

"Uraraka... I'm sorry," Izuku muttered under his breath, his voice trembling as he wiped away another tear.

She had fought harder than anyone, pouring her entire heart and soul into the match. If the fight had gone on any longer, she might have won. But now, the thought of how devastated she must feel hurt more than anything else.

Lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice Bakugou coming up the stairs until they were nearly face-to-face. The two locked eyes, and Bakugou's expression immediately twisted into a snarl.

"Yo, what the fuck were you thinking? Why don't you just fucking die already, you piece of shit?" Bakugou spat, his voice dripping with venom.

Izuku flinched but didn't respond. Annoyed, he turned and continued walking. He had more important things to focus on-a friend who needed him-and Bakugou's insults didn't matter right now.

"Deku!" Bakugou barked, his voice rising as he followed after him.

"Hey, don't ignore me!" he shouted, anger flaring when Izuku didn't even glance back.

Izuku stopped in his tracks, his shoulders stiff. A gnawing sensation of frustration bubbled in his chest. It clawed at him, threatening to spill over, but he forced himself to take a deep breath and kept walking.

"You put that shitty plan in her head, didn't you?" Bakugou accused, his voice cutting through the air like a whip.

That made Izuku stop. Sparks of green electricity crackled faintly around his body as he clenched his fists.

"The plan that had her flinging herself around so recklessly?" Bakugou continued, his tone sharp, as if daring Izuku to deny it.

Izuku slowly turned his head, his green eyes narrowing. "Don't fuck around and try to bust my goddamn balls with this bullshit," Bakugou growled, stepping closer, his teeth bared in frustration.

Izuku exhaled, steadying himself before he finally spoke. "No, that's not it," he said, his voice calm but firm. He turned to face Bakugou fully, standing his ground. "The plan? All of it was Uraraka's idea. She came up with it herself to beat you."

Bakugou's glare deepened, his scowl hardening into something darker, but Izuku didn't flinch.

"So, if anyone was 'busting your balls,'" Izuku continued, his tone cutting, "then it was Uraraka. She was the one tossing you around-not me."

Without waiting for a response, Izuku turned and walked away. Bakugou stood frozen for a moment, as he glared at Izuku burning a hole right through his head.

...

Izuku walked slowly down the hallway, his heart heavy as he made his way to her room. When he finally reached the door, he paused, taking a deep breath before gently opening it.

"Ah, man... I lost..."

"Huh...?"

Izuku was greeted by Ochako sitting on the bed, beaming at him with a smile. She was wearing a new P.E. uniform, wrapped up in bandages from her injuries, but still somehow looking so positive.

"I got carried away at the end thinkin' I could win. Dang it," Ochako said, her voice cheerful, though Izuku could catch the tiniest hint of sadness behind it.

"Uraraka, what about your injuries? Are you okay?" Izuku asked, surprised by her upbeat attitude. She'd fought so hard, and still lost, yet here she was, trying to put on a brave face.

"Yeah, Recovery Girl took care of me! It was just moderate Nurse White stamina-I'm all good to go! But man, Bakugou was real strong! He totally got me! I was so close, though! But this just shows I gotta get stronger!" Ochako said, raising her fist in frustration.

Izuku stared at her, still concerned. "Are... are you sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine! Better than expected!" Ochako chirped, but then her phone buzzed. The caller ID read "Daddy."

She quickly pushed the phone toward her chest, trying to hide it. "I mean, you should start lookin' forward, kinda like you, Dekiru. You fall, but then you get back up and come back stronger."

"Yeah, but-"

"Go! Go!" Ochako urged, giving him a gentle push toward the door. "The other matches are coming up, and I'm sure you wanna take notes on their quirks!"

Izuku hesitated for a moment. "But-"

"Don't worry about me! Go!" Ochako insisted, pushing him out of the door before closing it behind him. He could hear the faint sound of her sniffling as she locked the door, and his heart ached.

Once the footsteps outside faded, Ochako pulled her phone back and dialed her father's number. After a few rings, he picked up.

"Sorry for not pickin' up, Daddy."

{Dad: It's fine! Don't worry about it. Sorry for callin' when you're busy.}

{Yeah, you might've lost, but it was such a close match. I almost crushed my coffee cup when your 'Meteor Crash' started. My hand's gonna bruise from your mom squeezin' it so hard! And then when you made everything float? I was cheerin' for you like the whole crowd was!}

"Dad... I want to support you and Mom as soon as I can. I-"

{Dad: 'Chako, we'll be fine. No need to rush. Your focus should be on bein' a hero, first and foremost. Then you can shower your ol' man with moolah! Plus, the business is boomin' a bit!}

Ochako sniffled, trying to hold back the tears. "Really?"

{Dad: Yeah, the city's been goin' through some crazy stuff lately. Kids ridin' birds, others bein' chased by knights... and then there's the dragon rippin' through the city! It's not perfect, but we're doin' alright.}

Ochako's tears started to fall.

{Dad: You've got next year. And the year after that. So why're you rushin' to win so quick?}

"But... but Dad, I... I lost! An' I wasn't incredible! I got slaughtered out there!" Ochako's voice cracked as she wiped at her eyes. "I thought I had a good plan, but as soon as it failed, I had nothin'! The last move was... was a miracle, and I still lost! My self-confidence... it just blew up right in my face!"

{Dad: 'Chako, we're fine. Don't rush things. Your feelings remind me of how kind-hearted you are. That's why I know you'll be a great hero.}

"Thanks, Daddy."

At that moment, Ochako couldn't hold back anymore. Her tears flowed freely, but she still had a smile on her face as she whispered her thanks.

Outside the door, Izuku wiped his own tears away. After hearing the conversation, he stepped back inside, not able to just leave her alone in this moment.

Ochako froze, surprised by his sudden presence. "D-Dekiru? W-What are you doin' here?" she asked, quickly wiping her face.

...

"God... sniff... I'm such a mess." Ochako wiped at her face, her hands trembling as the tears kept coming. She let out a broken laugh, trying to mask her emotions. "This is so embarrassing..."

"I-I, uh..." Izuku stammered, shifting awkwardly as he rubbed the Omnitrix on his wrist. "I-I knew you weren't okay," he said softly, his voice hesitant but full of concern. "You don't have to pretend. Not with me, at least. And... there's no way you're not frustrated after that match."

Ochako stepped forward and began pushing him weakly, her shoulders shaking as fresh sobs broke through. "I... I'm fine, okay? Just go," she muttered, her voice trembling. When Izuku didn't budge, she began hitting his chest with weak punches, her arms trembling with every motion. "Just... just go... I don't need you to worry about me. I'm fine!"

Izuku didn't flinch, his hands hovering uncertainly as he spoke, his tone firmer now. "L-Look, I know I'm probably the worst guy to help with this, but I can't just walk away when I know you're hurting... especially when you're trying so hard to hide it."

Ochako bit her lip, her hands still pressed against his chest as she tried to suppress another sob. Izuku hesitated, then stepped closer, lowering his voice as if afraid to scare her off. "Take it from the guy who's practically a pro at beating himself up: you were amazing out there."

Ochako let out a bitter laugh, her teary eyes darting away. "Amazing? I got wrecked, Izuku. I-I tried my best, and I still lost. The crowd saw it. You saw it. I failed."

"You didn't fail!" Izuku said quickly, clasping her hands in his own before she could pull away. She flinched slightly at the contact, her hands cold against his warm palms. "You were incredible, Ochako. That meteor shower? That was genius. You had Kacchan on the ropes-do you know how hard that is? You stood up to him, and you didn't back down. That's not failing.If that's not makings of a great hero than I don't know what is."

Ochako shook her head, her lip trembling. "But I didn't win... I didn't even come close. He wasn't even trying at the start, and-"

"And you made him regret it," Izuku interrupted, his voice rising slightly in intensity. "You pushed him to go all out. You took his explosions head-on just to turn them against him. You fought with everything you had, and everyone saw that! The crowd wasn't booing you-they were cheering for you." He gave a small, lopsided smile. "I mean, even Kacchan called you by your name. That's basically a compliment coming from him."

Ochako let out a shaky laugh, covering her mouth as a few more tears slipped down her cheeks. "You're just saying that..."

"I'm not!" Izuku said earnestly, leaning slightly closer, his grip tightening on her hands. "You proved how strong you are. You didn't give up, even when things looked bad. That's what being a hero is about. You're amazing, Ochako, and I never doubted that for a second."

Ochako's resolve crumbled as the weight of his words sank in. Her voice broke when she whispered, "It's not your job to cheer me up..."

Izuku's expression softened, and he smiled gently. "Yes, it is. Because we're friends. And when you're hurting, I can't just stand by and do nothing."

Before he could say anything else, Ochako threw her arms around him. Her movements were sudden and desperate, her fingers gripping tightly at the fabric of his shirt as though she were afraid he might disappear. She buried her face against his shoulder, her sobs muffled but unrelenting as she clung to him.

Izuku froze, startled by the sudden hug, his arms hovering awkwardly at his sides. But as the seconds passed and he felt her trembling against him, he slowly wrapped his arms around her. His touch was hesitant at first, his hands barely brushing her back, but as her body shook with each sob, he pulled her closer, his grip firm and reassuring.

"I... I'm sorry," Ochako mumbled, her voice muffled against his shoulder. "I'm such a mess..."

"You don't have to apologize," Izuku said softly, his voice steady even as his heart raced. He could feel her warmth seeping through his shirt, and despite his burning cheeks, he began moving one hand in slow circles across her back, hoping to soothe her. "Compared to how much I cry, this is pretty tame."

Ochako let out a small, tearful laugh at his awkward attempt to lighten the mood, her grip on him tightening even further. She nestled closer, her head tucked beneath his chin, as his steady breaths began to calm her.

For a while, they just stood there, her sobs quieting as the tension slowly drained from her body. Izuku's arms stayed firmly around her, his hands steady as they conveyed what words couldn't-a silent promise that he wouldn't let her face this alone.

Finally, Ochako pulled back slightly, her hands lingering on his arms as she gave him a watery smile. "Thank you, Dekiru," she said quietly, her voice still shaky but filled with gratitude. "I think I wanna head back to class now."

Izuku nodded, stepping back, but before he could leave, she grabbed the back of his shirt, stopping him in his tracks.

"C-Call me by my name," Ochako murmured, her gaze fixed on the floor. Her voice was barely above a whisper, and her cheeks flushed as she added, "W-When we're alone... call me Ochako."

Izuku's face turned bright red, his heart pounding so loudly he was sure she could hear it. Her own thumping against her chest.

"Y-Yeah," he stammered. "Okay... Ochako."

...

Itsuka glanced at the entrance to the Class 1-A spectator booth. What's taking him so long? she wondered, her thoughts interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. When Bakugou entered, the girls collectively groaned, their expressions clearly unimpressed.

"Tch," Bakugou muttered, noticing the disappointment plastered across their faces.

"You know, that was a pretty intense match," Sero said, beads of sweat on his face.

"Yeah, maybe now he'll think twice before underestimating someone," Kyoka muttered under her breath, her tone biting.

From the 1-B seats, Monoma smirked. "Man, the crowd really hates you, Bakugou. You're practically the villain of the whole Sports Festival. I think everyone's just waiting for someone to take you down." He chuckled. "Especially after the way you blasted that 'fragile' girl."

The girls of both classes turned to glare at Monoma, clearly irritated.

"Shut up, just shut your damn mouths!" Bakugou barked as he strode to his seat.

"Seriously, do you even realize a hero's supposed to take down a villain with as little collateral damage as possible?" Monoma pressed on.

"Tch." Bakugou scoffed, plopping into his seat. "I was waiting for her to pull some cheap trick. A hero always wins. No way I was losing to that." He paused for a moment, his tone softening slightly. "And besides... where do you see 'fragile'? She was tough as hell."

"Winning means that much to him, huh?" Mina mumbled under her breath.

"ALRIGHT, LET'S CONTINUE ON!" Present Mic's voice boomed. "IT'S THE SHOCKING, SPARKING, THINKS-HE'S-A-LADY-KILLER: DENKI KAMINARI!!!"

The crowd roared with enthusiasm as the girls of Class 1-A and 1-B chuckled at Kaminari's groan of embarrassment.

Footsteps sounded again as Izuku and Ochako rushed into the booth, both panting slightly.

"Did we miss anything?" they asked in unison, their voices overlapping.

"No, ribbit. It's just getting started," Tsuyu replied.

"VERSUS THE FULLY EQUIPPED WITH SUPPORT ITEMS, FROM THE SUPPORT COURSE: MEI HATSUME!"

"So, he's up against someone from the Support Course?" Kyoka mused, crossing her arms.

"I wonder what kind of fight this'll be," Tsuyu added curiously.

"Uh... what's that?" Sato asked, pointing in confusion.

Everyone's eyes landed on the peculiar sight: Kaminari held two wires in his hands, each connected to a power station that Mei had somehow dragged onto the field.

"Alright, ready?" Mei grinned as Midnight cracked her whip and yelled, "START!"

"Yeah, sure. But you're keeping your end of the bargain, right?" Kaminari asked warily.

"Of course!" Mei beamed. "This is the perfect opportunity for me! Anything else would just be a waste of time!"

"Uh... has the fight started?" Present Mic asked, baffled.

"It has," Aizawa replied flatly, already pinching the bridge of his nose, "but I can feel the headache coming."

"HELLO, EVERYONE!!" Mei's voice suddenly boomed across the stadium.

"She hijacked the speakers," Aizawa groaned.

"Um... what's happening?" Ochako asked, tilting her head.

"Looks like they made some kind of deal," Iida deduced, adjusting his glasses.

"But why would Kaminari agree to this?" Tsuyu asked.

Kyoka deadpanned. "Tsuyu, did you forget what that creep tried to pull before?"

The boys exchanged confused glances while Izuku turned toward the girls.

"You don't actually think he made some sort of deal just because she's a girl, do you?" Izuku asked hesitantly.

Kyoka and the other girls gave him a flat look.

"...Okay, you've got a point," Izuku conceded sheepishly, scratching the back of his head.

Meanwhile, Mei began presenting her "babies," hard-selling her gadgets to the support companies in the audience. Using her Quirk, Zoom, she scanned the crowd, gauging their reactions with laser focus. Kaminari's purpose became clear as he powered her more energy-intensive inventions.

"This is gonna take forever," Mineta groaned, earning nods of agreement from the rest of the class.

Twenty minutes later...

Izuku had fallen asleep against Ochako's shoulder, while Kirishima snored lightly. Mina was sprawled across Hagakure's lap, and Kyoka dozed off against Momo's shoulder.

Ochako, however, remained awake, her face a bright shade of pink as she sat frozen, Izuku still leaning on her. She stared straight ahead, desperately trying to ignore the warmth of his breath against her neck.

"I've presented each and every last one of them!" Mei declared triumphantly, wiping her brow. "There's nothing left!"

With that, she stepped out of bounds.

"Err... Mei Hatsume has stepped out of bounds! Kaminari advances to the second round!" Midnight announced, her voice tinged with confusion.

Izuku, Kirishima, and Mineta jolted awake, each wiping drool from their mouths. The girls stirred soon after, stretching and yawning groggily.

Ochako, however, was still frozen in place, her heart racing. The boy she'd quietly admitted to herself that she loved had fallen asleep on her shoulder-and for the entire fourteen minutes, she hadn't moved a muscle.

"Wheyy?" Kaminari slurred, having short-circuited from powering Hatsume's devices for so long.

Seeing his dumbfounded expression, Kyoka burst out laughing, joined by Ochako.

"Oh man, he's such an idiot!" Kyoka giggled, her blunt tone laced with genuine amusement as she wiped tears from her eyes.

Ochako joined in, her earlier embarrassment fading as the booth filled with laughter.

...

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