Chapter 13 Let's Rumble Round 2
The tunnel to the arena was quiet, the low hum of the stadium muffled behind concrete and steel. Harsh white lights buzzed overhead, casting sharp shadows as Izuku Midoriya made his way toward the light.
Broad-shouldered. Solid. Still growing into the power in his frame—but already, he stood tall with confidence earned through battle and grit.
He walked like someone with purpose.
That was when a wall of heat stepped in his path.
Endeavor.
The new number one hero, flames curling at his shoulders, stood firm—arms crossed, eyes burning with unreadable intensity.
"You've done well, Midoriya," Endeavor said, his voice a low rumble. "You're strong. Willful. The kind of power that demands attention."
Izuku didn't flinch. He met the man's gaze evenly.
"But remember something," Endeavor continued. "Shoto was made to surpass All Might. That is why I trained him. Why I pushed him. That's what he was born for."
Izuku's jaw tightened.
"I need you to push him. Force him to fight. Make him use his fire. He refuses to embrace it, and that weakness—" his voice darkened, "—it dishonors his potential."
The flames at his shoulders flared hotter.
"If you can do that," he added, stepping closer, "I'll make it worth your while."
Izuku's brows drew together. He didn't step back.
Instead, he tilted his head slightly—and spoke with quiet steel.
"Just like how you bought his mother?"
The flames hissed into silence.
Endeavor froze.
"What did you say?" he asked, voice cold.
"Shoto told me everything," Izuku said, voice calm, steady—but with something sharp beneath. "How you picked her for her quirk. How you saw her as part of your plan to create the next Number One. You married her to make a weapon."
Endeavor stared at him, breath heavy in his chest.
Then—
"…Is that what he thinks?" he murmured.
Izuku didn't answer.
The fire crackled faintly.
"I never bought my wife," Endeavor said, quieter now. "I loved her. Truly. I thought—if I could just be strong enough, if we could raise someone even stronger—we'd be building a future. Not destroying one."
He looked away, as if seeing something only he could.
"I lost her anyway."
A long silence stretched between them.
"I want him to grow past me," Endeavor said, "even if it means hating me. But he needs to stop lying to himself. Push him. Give him that choice."
With that, Endeavor turned and walked away, boots echoing against the concrete as he disappeared back toward the VIP box.
Izuku stood there a moment, breath steady—processing.
Then he stepped forward into the sunlight.
The moment Izuku emerged, the crowd erupted. Cheers, screams, camera flashes—deafening, alive.
On the other side of the ring, Shoto Todoroki waited.
He stood with arms at his sides, one foot slightly forward, his gaze calm—but his posture tense. Focused. Braced.
Izuku walked across the stone arena, feet steady, nerves locked down. As they met eyes, the energy in the stadium shifted again—expectation crackling like a storm on the edge of bursting.
--
Commentary Booth
Present Mic leaned forward, voice filled with excitement.
"And here it is, folks! The one we've all been waiting for—Midoriya vs. Todoroki!"
Aizawa's voice came in lower, slower. "They both carry weight. Pressure. But this fight—it's more than just combat for them. It's their chance to show everyone what they're capable of.."
--
Down on the field
Midnight raised her hand, expression serious now.
"Ready—"
The crowd fell silent.
"Begin!"
The moment Midnight's hand came down, the temperature on the arena floor plummeted.
A wave of white shot across the ground—Todoroki's opening salvo, a jagged glacier surging forward like a living beast, tearing through the floor, spiraling with icy fangs.
The crowd gasped, but Izuku didn't flinch.
He took one step forward, grounded his stance—then detonated the air around him.
BOOM.
A sharp shockwave blasted outward from his foot, hitting the incoming ice dead-on. The leading edge shattered on impact, shards glittering as they exploded into the air like diamond dust.
The second wave came faster. The spikes tried to rise around him, box him in—but Izuku moved with precision. A burst from his palm here. A stomp from his heel there. Each explosion obliterated the ice with surgical precision.
And through it all, he kept walking.
Calm. Measured. Power rolling off him like ripples on the surface of a deep ocean.
--
Pro Hero Box
High above the battlefield, the Top Ten Pro Heroes leaned forward.
Ryukyu narrowed her eyes, watching how Izuku stepped between the ice walls with flawless spacing. "He's not just enduring Todoroki's offense… he's reading it. Anticipating. That's not brute strength. That's control."
Edgeshot, sat arms folded beside her, gave a subtle nod. "His bursts are perfectly measured. He's forcing Todoroki to burn stamina while conserving his own."
Best Jeanist's fingers tapped lightly on his knee. "This isn't just a fight. This is a dismantling in progress."
Even Endeavor, silent in his seat, said nothing—but the corner of his mouth twitched with something unspoken. Frustration? Or something deeper?
--
Class 1-A Section
The front row of Class 1-A was electric.
"He's just walking through it!" Kaminari yelled, practically shaking the rail.
"It's like he's dancing around everything Todoroki throws," Momo said, awe in her voice.
Kirishima pumped a fist. "Midoriya's putting on a damn clinic!"
Sero laughed. "He's shredding that fancy ice like it's toilet paper!"
And at the center of it all—Rumi Usagiyama, leaning so far over the railing that Tsuyu had to reach out to steady her.
Her fists were clenched tight, and her voice cracked the air like a thunderclap.
"YEAH, BABE! BLOW THAT ICE PRINCE INTO NEXT WEEK!"
Mina snorted. "She's gonna explode before Bakugo does."
"She's like a hype squad and a fangirl rolled into a rabid bunny," Kaminari muttered.
"She's wild," Tokoyami said flatly.
"She's awesome," Izuku would've said—if he wasn't currently dodging razor-sharp frozen death.
--
Class 1-B Section
Across the way, Class 1-B had their own reactions—very different ones.
Tetsutetsu's mouth hung slightly open. "He just busted through that like nothing."
Ibara leaned forward, hands clasped. "Such power… and still, he does not lose control."
Kendo frowned. "Todoroki's holding back. He has to be."
And then, of course, there was Monoma.
"Oh, please," he scoffed, arms folded dramatically. "Midoriya's just brute-forcing everything. No elegance. No strategy. Just—BOOM, BOOM, punch punch. Like a toddler with a toy hammer."
Kendo didn't even look at him. "He shattered ten tons of reinforced ice and didn't break a sweat."
Monoma's eye twitched. "Theatrics. I've seen better pacing in kindergarten plays."
Tetsutetsu muttered, "You've never seen this."
--
Back in the Ring
Todoroki didn't stop. Wave after wave of frost launched across the arena, forming traps, barriers, and spears, but Izuku moved with precision—a blur of green lightning, blasting footholds into ice and using the recoil to slingshot himself forward.
He burst through an ice wall with a roar—KRAKOOM!
Chunks flew everywhere.
Todoroki raised another ramp, sent spikes upward to skewer him mid-air—
Izuku flipped, kicked off a floating shard, and blasted the ground with a reverse shockwave—
CRACK!
A seismic ripple split the stone, the whole platform shaking.
Todoroki skid back, one hand bracing him. Steam hissed from his right arm. His breath was tight. Eyes narrowed.
Izuku stood in the dust.
Glowing. Steady.
"Stop holding back!" he shouted, voice ringing like a hammer on steel. "You're never going to beat me like this!"
--
Class 1-A Reactions
Momo gripped the railing, eyes wide. "He's forcing him to make a decision."
"He's challenging more than his power," Tokoyami said. "He's challenging his conviction."
Rumi grinned so wide her teeth showed. "Damn right he is."
--
Back on the Field
Todoroki rose to his feet.
"I told you," he said, voice quiet but firm. "I'm not using his fire."
Izuku took a single step forward, fists clenched.
"Then you're lying to yourself."
The air grew colder. The silence stretched thin.
Steam hissed off Todoroki's shoulders again.
But this time—there was something else underneath.
A flicker of heat.
A flicker of fire.
Todoroki's breath clouded the air, steam mixing with ice mist as he stood half-shrouded in his own quirk. His right side gleamed with frozen armor, shards of frost creeping up his neck. His lips were tight. Determined.
And Izuku kept coming.
He darted across the shattered battlefield, launching from debris with blasts of compressed air and thunderous shockwaves. His boots barely touched ground before the next impact hurled him forward again—a relentless storm of motion.
Todoroki raised another wall of jagged ice—this one taller, thicker, desperate.
CRACK!
Izuku punched through it, shards spiraling around him as he rocketed toward Todoroki's blindside.
Todoroki countered, a sweeping arc of sharp frozen blades rising from the floor. Izuku spun, used a shockwave mid-air to dodge sideways—
—and landed in a skid, a trail of splintered stone behind him.
--
Class 1-A Section
Kaminari's jaw dropped. "Dude's putting holes in that ring like it owes him money!"
"Izuku's overwhelming him!" Kirishima shouted.
"Not yet," Momo murmured. "Todoroki's still holding… he's stubborn. He'd rather destroy himself than give in."
--
Class 1-B Section
Tetsutetsu leaned forward. "He's freezing up. Literally."
Ibara pressed her hands together, concern in her eyes. "He's past the safe limit. His body can't handle that much frost."
Monoma scoffed, but quieter this time. "If he loses, it's because he refuses to evolve."
--
Pro Hero Box
Edgeshot watched with steady calm. "Midoriya's not letting up. He's dragging Todoroki to the edge."
Ryukyu's lips pressed together. "Todoroki's tearing himself apart trying to win with half his strength."
Even Endeavor leaned forward now, eyes narrowed, arms crossed like he was holding himself together by force alone.
--
In the Ring
Another wave of ice surged toward Izuku—but this time it was slower. Less precise. Todoroki's movements were faltering, his balance slipping. His hand trembled.
Still—he refused to call on the other side.
Izuku's breath came in hard bursts, his muscles burning from constant recoil. His body was screaming—but his mind was on fire.
Why won't you use it?!
Why are you doing this to yourself?!
He launched again—BOOM!
He slammed down beside Todoroki, fist aimed low—not to knock him out, but to drive another shockwave beneath his guard. The blast sent Todoroki flying back, landing hard on his side.
Ice cracked across the floor as Todoroki forced himself upright. Frost climbed over his shoulder, creeping up his jawline. His lips were nearly blue.
Izuku stared at him.
"You're freezing to death out here."
Todoroki staggered to his feet. "I'm fine."
"You're not fine!"
"I don't need—" he started, coughing. "—his fire. I can win like this."
"No. You can't."
Izuku stepped closer. "You're dying to prove you don't need him. But all you're proving is that he still controls you."
Todoroki's fingers twitched. Ice rose again—a thin wave.
Izuku didn't move.
"You're not free."
Todoroki's eyes widened slightly.
"You're still his prisoner."
A breathless pause.
Then Todoroki lashed out with another wall, almost reflexive.
Izuku exploded forward, slicing through it with a spinning kick, the ice shattering mid-air.
And this time—he didn't stop.
He grabbed Todoroki's jacket with both hands, pulled him in face to face, their foreheads almost touching.
"This isn't his power."
"This is yours."
Todoroki's hand twitched again.
The frost flickered.
"You're not him. You never were."
"So stop letting him make your choices."
"You get to decide what kind of hero you want to be."
"So what's it gonna be, Todoroki?!"
The Arena Holds Its Breath. The wind blew across the arena, stirring the mist. Even the crowd went quiet. No cheers. No screams. Just silence.
Todoroki looked down at his right hand—frostbitten, shaking. Then, for the first time, he looked at his other side. His left foot stepped forward.
Steam hissed.
The frost along his ribs cracked—
And then—
FIRE.
It burst from his shoulder, wild and hot, lighting the mist in orange pushing Izuku away from the force they emited. The temperature spiked instantly. Steam exploded outward, mixing with the cold to form a thick veil of fog.
The flames kept rising.
Todoroki looked up, not with shame, not with rage—
But with clarity.
And something almost like relief.
"I am… not him," he whispered.
"I never was."
--
Class 1-A Section – Rumi
Rumi's hands flew to her mouth—not out of fear, but awe.
Then she grabbed the rail again and let out a scream that could've cracked the stadium.
"LET'S GO, FIREBOY! MY MAN DID THAT! THAT'S HIM WAKING YOU UP!"
Mina shrieked with her. "DID YOU SEE THAT?! HE LIT HIM UP LIKE A FIRECRACKER!"
Tsuyu blinked. "I thought we were cheering for Midoriya…"
Rumi just grinned like a madwoman. "I'm cheering for his impact! Let him burn!"
—
The arena was no longer just a stage.
It was a storm zone.
Fire erupted, dancing across Todoroki's left side in radiant waves, melting the frost that had consumed him. His breath came easier now—but his eyes burned hotter than the flames.
For the first time—he wasn't holding back.
He raised both hands.
One wreathed in ice, sharp and precise.
The other wrapped in flame, wild and roaring.
Izuku felt it immediately—the spike in pressure, in temperature, in sheer presence. Todoroki's dual power finally collided, and it was beautiful.
But Izuku grinned.
And then his power surged.
30%.
Green lightning cracked across his arms and legs, veins glowing with power as shockwaves began to pulse from his body with every breath.
The air itself began to shake.
--
Pro Hero Box
Best Jeanist leaned forward, eyes wide. "He's releasing more power. He's been holding back this entire time."
Edgeshot's voice was razor sharp. "This fight just reached a whole new tier."
Ryukyu crossed her arms, impressed. "And Todoroki? His fire's unstable—but it's raw. Devastating. He's still learning how to use it seems, but he's feeling it."
Even Endeavor couldn't hide it now—the gleam of pride behind his stern eyes.
"They're both all-in," Ryukyu murmured. "This is no longer a school match."
--
Class 1-A Section
Kaminari's voice cracked. "Uhhh… should we move?"
"They're gonna level this place," Sero muttered, shielding his eyes from a blast of steam.
"They're monsters," Tokoyami said, not with fear—but respect.
And Rumi?
Rumi was howling with excitement, slamming her fists against the railing like a drumbeat.
"LET'S GO, BABE!! BLOW THE WHOLE DAMN SKY OPEN!"
Her ears twitched, catching every sound, her eyes shining with pride—and wild love.
"He's pushing him! You see that? He's not just standing his ground—he's calling him out! THAT'S MY MAN!"
Mina blinked. "Should we be worried she's about to jump in?"
"More worried if someone tries to stop her," Tsuyu muttered.
--
Todoroki moved first.
He sprinted in with a blast of flame, fire curling behind him like a comet. He sent a wall of ice ahead as cover—Izuku met it with a straight punch and shattered it mid-charge, sparks exploding off his arms.
They collided at the center of the ring—BOOM!
Shockwave met inferno.
The force rippled through the arena, tearing up tiles, sending cracks through the stone.
Todoroki spun, hurling a burst of flame from his left hand—Izuku dodged sideways, using a shockwave burst from his foot to kick up into the air.
Mid-air, Izuku twisted and blasted himself downward like a missile, aiming a kick toward Todoroki's flank.
Todoroki raised a flame shield—it broke under the impact, sending him sliding back, shoes grinding against melted tile.
Todoroki exhaled steam, eyes sharp. "You're crazy, you know that?"
Izuku grinned through the sweat and sparks. "Takes one to fight one."
"You could've won. Earlier. When I wasn't using my fire."
Izuku launched forward again, this time a jab-hook combo, shockwaves blasting the air from his fists.
"I know," he said between attacks.
Todoroki blocked the last hit with an ice pillar, flame bursting out of his other side in retaliation.
"Then why didn't you?!"
Izuku darted low under the fire, rolled forward, and launched a rising uppercut that caught Todoroki's shoulder—not enough to knock him out, but enough to rattle.
"I couldn't," Izuku growled. "Not like that."
They clashed again—flame, ice, wind, lightning.
"Beating someone who's only using half their strength? That's not winning."
Another collision. Sparks. Ice. Flame.
"That's not how I fight."
One more blast of power sent them both flying in opposite directions—slamming into opposite sides of the ring, panting, steaming.
The audience was screaming now, standing in their seats, unsure whether to cheer, cry, or pray.
The arena was scorched, cracked, dripping with steam and covered in ash and frost.
Midnight stood now, clutching her headset, eyes wide. "We… may need to prepare to stop this if it escalates any further—"
"No," Aizawa muttered beside her. "Let them finish. They've both earned this."
--
Todoroki stood again, coughing once, but his eyes were alive.
His left side flickered with flame. His right hand shimmered with cold mist.
And Izuku rose too, wiping blood from his lip with the back of a sparking hand.
Both of them were smiling now.
Not out of joy.
Out of purpose.
The arena looked like a warzone. Ruined stone, blackened scorch marks, veins of shattered frost carving the field like broken glass. Smoke coiled in lazy spirals around the two fighters still standing.
Barely.
Todoroki had both arms out now—one radiating heat, the other pulsing cold. The frost on his skin steamed away in waves, his fire hungry and wild. The air warped around him, unable to decide whether to burn or freeze.
Izuku lowered his stance.
And in that moment—he chose to stop holding back.
Just once. "One For All… 100%." he muttered under his breath so quit no one heard
--
Pro Hero Box
Edgeshot's posture stiffened. "He… he can go higher?"
Ryukyu's eyes widened. "Midoriya's bracing for something massive. But—it looks like it's causing him pain he hasn't mastered that yet. He'll destroy himself."
Even Endeavor stood, firelight flickering across a stunned expression.
—
Stadium Ring
Todoroki raised his hands—a swirling maelstrom of fire and ice exploding forward, roaring louder than any scream. It tore through the air like a dragon with twin wings, spinning and collapsing into a beam of raw, chaotic force.
"HYBRID BLAST!"
Izuku took one breath—then stepped in.
Power flooded his body. Muscles rippled. Blood vessels screamed.
And he drove one fist back—lightning crackling around his whole arm—
"DETROIT SMAAAASH!!!"
The punch landed—And the sky split open.
A blinding column of light surged upward. The shockwave tore chunks of the arena apart—not just the stage, but the barriers around it. Tiles shattered. Debris flew. The sound was like a sonic bomb detonating in the middle of the crowd.
A wall of wind blasted outward.
The announcer's booth lights blew out.
People screamed—not in fear, but awe.
--
Class 1-A B
Monoma could barely speak. "What… what the hell was that?"
Tetsutetsu stared, wide-eyed. "That… that wasn't even from a Pro."
Kirishima's jaw dropped. "That punch—he didn't just match Todoroki. He overpowered him."
Momo covered her mouth. "He's injured."
Kaminari squinted into the dust. "Wait… his arm—"
--
The smoke began to clear.
Todoroki's body skidded across the stone, rolling once, twice—Out of bounds. He didn't get up.
In the center of the ring…
Izuku still stood.
But his right arm hung limp, his sleeve of his gym uniforms torn off, the skin purple and red with fractures.
His knees shook—but he didn't fall.
Because something held him in place.
Black tendrils, faint but visible, lashed into the ground like anchors, coiling through the shattered floor. They weren't glowing bright—not yet—but they were there. Instinctive. Protective.
And Midoriya?
He smiled.
Just a little.
Then dropped to one knee.
--
Class 1-A Reactions
Mina gasped. "His arm is broken!"
"He used everything," Momo said, eyes wide. "And then some."
Rumi didn't look worried. She looked like she was on the edge of rapture.
"He didn't back down one but knowing what full power would do to him." she said with admiration and love in her voice.
Her fists gripped the railing.
Her grin was wild. Her eyes were shining.
"THAT'S MY GODDAMN MAN!"
--
Pro Hero Box
Best Jeanist exhaled like he'd been holding it the entire time. "He sacrificed his own body. Just to answer his opponent's full power."
Ryukyu murmured, "And he did it without a hint of arrogance. That was respect."
Edgeshot's gaze was sharp. "What's terrifying is that he had more. That wasn't controlled. It was desperation—but it still didn't look like his limit."
Even Endeavor remained silent, jaw tight, his eyes locked not on Todoroki—but on the boy who stood alone at the center.
The applause started like a tremor.
Then rose.
Thunderous. Deafening. Euphoric.
Cheers, screams, whistles—a standing ovation from the entire stadium.
The crowd wasn't just reacting to a victory.
They were reacting to something that shouldn't have been possible.
—
Downs on the Floor
Midnights voice cracked slightly, but she raised her mic with conviction.
"Todoroki… is out of bounds."
"Victory goes to Izuku Midoriya!"
The stadium buzzed with a hushed sort of reverence—the kind reserved for miracles and natural disasters. The ring had been torn apart, and now the school's tech and support teams swarmed it, rebuilding what they could, reinforcing what they couldn't.
Midnight's voice rang out through the speakers.
"Due to structural damage from the last match, we'll be taking a short break to repair the arena. Please remain in your seats."
Then, quieter, to herself:
"Damn kids are gonna flatten the whole school before graduation…"
--
UA Medical Wing
Izuku pulled his shirt back on with a soft wince, rolling his right arm slowly. The soreness ran deep into the muscle, a dull ache from nerves and tendons still buzzing with leftover power. But it moved fine.
No bandages.
Just the jagged scars winding down from shoulder to wrist—evidence of the cost.
Recovery Girl clicked her tongue. "You're lucky I caught it in time. If that tendon had snapped clean…"
"I know," he said quietly, flexing his fingers. "I pushed it."
"And you'll keep pushing it, won't you?" she muttered. "Stubborn brat."
She sighed, then smiled. "But I can't argue with the result."
The door opened, and Toshinori stepped in. His eyes filled with pride.
Izuku stood straighter.
"I didn't lose," he said.
"No," Toshinori said, smiling. "You won, and you made a hero out of someone else in the process."
He stepped forward and rested a hand on Izuku's unscarred shoulder.
"I saw everything. And I've never been more proud of the path you're taking."
Izuku's eyes stung. He swallowed and nodded.
"…Thanks, Sensei."
--
Outside the Tunnel – Shoto Todoroki
Shoto walked with quiet steps, steam still drifting off his body. His shirt was torn, his collar burned—but his expression was neutral.
As he neared the tunnel entrance, Endeavor stepped into his path.
No fire. Just a man.
"You used your fire," he said.
Shoto stopped. "Yeah."
"I'm proud."
Shoto's voice was cold. "Not because of you."
Endeavor flinched—but didn't argue. Just nodded.
"If you ever want to talk… your mother would want to see you. We could go. Together."
A beat passed.
Shoto didn't answer.
Then walked on.
--
Class 1-A Stands
When Shoto rejoined them, he was met with silence—then Kirishima stepped forward, arm out.
"You good?"
Shoto nodded. "Yeah."
"You were awesome," Mina said.
Momo smiled. "We're glad you're okay."
Shoto looked at them—really looked—and said quietly:
"…Thanks."
And for the first time since joining UA, he stayed with them.
--
Outside Medical Wing
Izuku stepped out into the hall, rolling his shoulders and cracking his neck. He looked worn but alive. Fire still flickered behind his eyes.
And Rumi was waiting.
She didn't run.
She stalked—a slow, deliberate pace as her crimson eyes locked on the scars running down his arm.
"You kept me waiting," she murmured.
"I needed a second to walk straight."
Then she saw his arm—really saw it.
Her breath caught.
She reached up and traced the scar slowly from bicep to forearm.
"…Hot," she whispered, voice dipping low.
Izuku blinked. "What?"
"You heard me."
Then she grabbed his collar.
And kissed him.
Hard.
Her fingers curled behind his neck, his hands found her waist, and they pressed into each other like they had nothing else to hold onto. She pulled back just enough to speak, breath ragged.
"That was insane."
"Yeah," he rasped.
She kissed him again—deeper this time.
Her backs hit the wall. His hands braced at her sides. Her leg slid between his, her breath warm against his cheek.
Her voice dipped lower, velvet and dangerous.
"I am two seconds from dragging you behind this building…"
Izuku chuckled, flushed but grinning. "Tempting…"
Then they both laughed, foreheads pressed together.
She whispered, "Later. When you can walk without limping."
He snorted. "Fair."
She kissed his jaw, then pulled back fully.
"Now let's get you fed before I eat you instead."
--
Class 1-A 1-B Stands
As they returned to the group, Class 1-A erupted in cheers.
Kaminari shouted, "LIVING LEGEND!"
"Midori the Disintegrator!" Mina added.
"You are an unstoppable force of nature," Tokoyami said dramatically.
Sero grinned. "Please tell me you didn't vaporize the entire ring on purpose."
"Midoriya!" Ochako smiled brightly. "That was incredible!"
Tsuyu nodded. "I thought the stadium was gonna fly away."
Shoto gave him a nod. "Thank you… for everything."
Even Ojiro stepped in. "That was a hell of a fight."
Izuku rubbed the back of his head. "I think I'm still vibrating inside."
Rumi flung an arm around him. "He's downplaying it. My boy broke the sky."
From Class 1-B, Ibara smiled. "You fought with grace and strength."
Tetsutetsu pumped a fist. "You're crazy strong, dude!"
And of course, Monoma rose dramatically.
"Oh yes, all hail the self-sacrificing war god of Class A," he drawled. "How generous of him to flatten the arena just to prove a point."
Kendo smacked the back of his head.
"OW—fine! It was cool. Whatever."
Far back in the 1A stands, Bakugo sat on a bench alone.
His fists clenched. Eyes locked on the center ring. He didn't speak. Didn't look at the others.
But the quiet rage simmered louder than any scream.
The crackling aftermath of the Midoriya-Todoroki match still lingered in the air. Bits of dust and loose stone were being cleared, but the real focus wasn't the broken ring—it was the students riding the high of battle, adrenaline, and unspoken camaraderie.
Class 1-A clustered near the railing of their section, the tension broken and replaced with the rarest of things at UA:
Peace.
"Okay, but like, seriously," Kaminari said, arms flailing for emphasis. "I felt that punch in my teeth. I'm gonna have to check for fillings later."
"You don't have any fillings," Sero muttered.
"Okay, but if I did, they'd be halfway to I-Island right now!"
Mina leaned in. "Guys. Be honest. Did anyone else think Izuku was about to rip open a wormhole?"
"It wouldn't be the weirdest thing we've seen," Jiro deadpanned.
"I'm pretty sure I saw a third sun in the sky," Kaminari added.
"I'm not even sure the sky survived," Kirishima said with a grin.
Izuku, standing with Rumi near the railing, scratched the back of his neck. "I didn't think it'd look that dramatic…"
"You don't get to play humble after that!" Mina snapped, pointing at his scarred arm. "You literally atomized a holy laser beam!"
Rumi slung an arm around his waist, pressing close with a smug grin. "And looked hot doing it."
Izuku just continued to sheepishly chuckle.
Standing off to the side, Todoroki finally took a step forward. He opened his mouth, thought twice, then spoke up.
"I… don't think clouds can be destroyed. They're water vapor. That wouldn't be structurally possible, even with kinetic shock."
The entire group stared at him.
"…Dude," Kaminari said gently. "It was a metaphor."
"Oh."
"You sweet little cinnamon stick," Mina whispered. "You're trying. It's so precious."
Shoto frowned faintly. "I'm not trying to be precious. I'm being accurate."
"Okay but like," Kirishima said, clapping a hand on his shoulder, "you're hanging with us now. Accuracy is optional."
Todoroki blinked. Then slowly looked at Izuku.
"…This is normal?"
Izuku chuckled. "Yep. Welcome to the group."
A long pause. Shoto gave a short nod.
"…Good."
The laughter that followed felt earned.
Over the stadium's PA system, Midnight's voice rang out like velvet through steel.
"Five minutes until the next match! Fighters, please report to the prep zone!"
"Coming up—Tenya Iida versus Tsuyu Asui!"
Iida straightened like a flagpole. "At last!"
Tsuyu gave her trademark calm nod. "Ribbit. Let's see how fast you really are."
"You have my utmost respect!" Iida declared, offering his hand.
She took it. "And you have mine."
"Go get 'em, Speedy!" Kaminari cheered.
"Try not to croak!" Mina added, then immediately ducked as Tsuyu whipped her tongue in warning.
"You'll pay for that pun," Tsuyu said as she hopped away.
The two stepped into the newly-repaired arena. The crowd quieted, a buzz of expectation rising again. The last match had been all fire and storm—now they were about to see something else.
Something clean. Sharp. Technical.
Midnight raised her hand and brought it down.
The match began.
Iida dashed forward with a roar of engines, covering ten meters in a blink. Tsuyu leapt high, tongue whipping out to catch a stadium support pillar and swing wide.
She came around behind him, tongue flicking again for his ankle—but he twisted mid-stride, dodging and adjusting his path without slowing.
High above, in the commentary booth, Aizawa's voice was low and thoughtful.
"Iida's moving with restraint. He's keeping his burst in reserve."
"Waiting for her to make a move worth burning it on," Present Mic added beside him. "And Froppy's not just dodging—she's baiting."
"They're not clashing. They're dancing," Aizawa said.
Down below, Tsuyu tried to trip Iida with a low sweep from her tongue. He jumped—barely—and countered with a burst of speed aimed at cutting off her escape.
She rebounded again, sticking to the wall for a second before launching forward. It was a clean engagement—speed and precision against agility and control.
Then—she slipped.
Her tongue missed its mark and threw off her balance. Iida saw it.
He activated Recipro Burst.
A blur of light and speed, and in the span of half a second, he collided with her mid-air, pushing just enough to knock her off balance again—
Right out of the ring.
Midnight's Voice Rose "Victory goes to Tenya Iida, by ring out!"
The crowd applauded, impressed by the control. Iida immediately rushed to the edge and offered his hand.
Tsuyu took it, smiling faintly. "You earned it."
"You were magnificent!" he said, beaming. "I was nearly outmaneuvered at every turn!"
"Nearly," she replied, deadpan. "Ribbit."
--
Top Ten Pro Hero Box
Ryukyu leaned forward slightly. "That boy's going to be a leader."
Crust gave a big, proud nod. "His timing was solid. He respected his opponent and kept his head on straight. That's real hero spirit!"
Edgeshot, arms folded, added, "His form's improved. He didn't waste energy. Just enough force to end it—nothing more."
Best Jeanist offered a quiet hum. "Refinement in motion."
Even Endeavor gave a low grunt that might have meant approval—hard to tell.
--
Class 1-A 1-B Reaction
"That was clean!" Kirishima shouted. "Guy moves like a bullet."
"Like a bullet with manners," Mina added, hands on her hips. "It's weird how graceful he is."
Momo smiled. "It's discipline. Every step has a purpose."
"And Tsuyu almost got him a couple times," Tokoyami said. "She'll make a great stealth-type."
From the next section over, Ibara gave a respectful nod. "They both carried themselves with dignity."
Monoma, of course, couldn't resist.
"Well, yes, but I mean, what did you expect from Class A's designated rule follower? They probably measured his speed with a stopwatch and ran it through the committee before letting him race."
Kendo leaned over. "Are you trying to get punched today?"
"I'm always ready," Monoma sniffed, arms crossed.
Midnight voice piped up over the PA system again "And now! One of our most anticipated duels yet—Rumi Usagiyama vs. Ibara Shiozaki!"
The crowd roared again.
Rumi cracked her knuckles, that familiar feral grin already forming.
She turned toward Izuku, voice low and charged.
"Time to see what the divine vines are made of."
Izuku smiled. "Don't let her get the first entangle."
"Please," Rumi scoffed. "No one's tangling me. Unless you're into that hero-boy." she said the last part in his ear causing him to blush slightly. She stepped back and gave him a wink that only could mean trouble.
She started toward the prep stairs, tail flicking behind her with barely restrained energy.
The crowd's chants followed her down.
And in the stands, Class 1-A collectively leaned forward.
The arena was calm.
Too calm.
Freshly rebuilt stone glimmered under the midday sun, still slightly scorched from earlier fights. But the silence wasn't peace.
It was anticipation.
On one side of the ring, Ibara Shiozaki stepped forward, calm and composed. Her long vine-hair coiled behind her like a living cloak, and her palms were pressed together in a silent prayer.
On the other, Rumi Usagiyama bounced lightly on her heels. One foot stomped, then the other. Ears twitching. Muscles coiled. Energy humming beneath her skin like a thunderclap waiting to strike.
--
Commentary Booth
Aizawa leaned forward slightly. "This fight's going to come down to discipline versus instinct."
Present Mic nodded. "Usagiyama's explosive—raw power and wild motion. But Shiozaki's defensive game is no joke. She'll try to bind and outlast."
--
Top Ten Pro Hero Box
Crust pointed, eyes lit with excitement. "I love this match-up! You've got an unshakable defense versus a one-woman wrecking crew! It's like faith versus fury!"
Ryukyu smiled. "Usagiyama's not just brute strength though. She knows how to pick her moments."
Best Jeanist studied closely. "And Ibara—her control is flawless. There's elegance in the way she roots herself."
Endeavor watched in silence, one brow raised. This one had his attention.
--
Back with the Fight
Ibara opened the exchange with a burst of vine lashes, whipping through the air in elegant arcs. Rumi dodged low, twisting through the initial strike and kicking off the floor—a blur of motion.
She spun midair, one leg snapping forward—Ibara blocked it with a tangle of vines coiled like a shield, the impact shaking her stance.
The counter vines lashed again, this time aiming to wrap around Rumi's arm and leg—but the rabbit twisted hard, yanking her body free with a low grunt and slamming down with a ground-pound kick.
The force cracked stone, dust billowing.
Ibara skated back lightly, rebalancing. "You strike with such aggression," she said. "But it lacks harmony."
Rumi grinned, fangs flashing. "Yeah? I prefer chaos."
She lunged again.
--
Class 1-A Reactions
"She's a blur," Kaminari said, wide-eyed.
Mina clapped her hands excitedly. "She's bouncing off the damn walls!"
"She's overwhelming Ibara's defense with speed," Momo said, watching closely. "If Ibara can't root her down…"
"Then Rumi's gonna dig her into the ground," Kirishima finished.
Beside them, Todoroki cleared his throat.
Everyone turned.
"…Usagiyama is… impressive," he said carefully. "Kinetic. Like… a living projectile."
There was a long pause.
Mina grinned. "Todoroki! Are you… making metaphors now?"
"…Was that not accurate?"
"You're trying," Sero said with approval. "We're proud of you, metaphor boy."
Izuku stood with arms crossed, eyes wide, heart pounding as he tracked every hop, every twist, every slam.
"She's so fast," he murmured.
"She hasn't even used her full strength yet," Tokoyami noted.
"I know," Izuku said, practically vibrating. "Her footwork's unreal. Did you see how she coiled her leg before launching? That's perfect energy loading. Her form's—God, it's—"
Rumi launched into a midair corkscrew spin and crashed into Ibara's vine wall, sending her sliding backward.
Izuku's hands were clenched into fists against his chest.
"I'm in love," he said softly.
"We know," the class chorused.
--
Arena Floor
Ibara, breathing heavily now, summoned a circle of vines to close Rumi in. The ring narrowed—closing like a floral cage.
"I do not fight for victory," Ibara said, her voice calm but labored. "I fight with divine grace—"
"Then brace for divine impact!" Rumi roared.
She slammed her foot down, leapt straight into the air, and used one of the vines as a pivot to spin through the canopy.
Wham!
She crashed through the top of the cage like a falling meteor, slamming her knee into Ibara's shoulder and sending her crashing backward across the ring.
Rumi didn't let up.
She landed, dashed forward, and with one clean sweep—dropkicked Ibara out of bounds.
The crowd was on its feet before Midnight even raised her arm.
"Victory to Rumi Usagiyama! Ring out!"
--
Top Ten Reactions
Crust was practically cheering. "That's how it's done! No hesitation—clean hit, relentless pace!"
Ryukyu smiled warmly. "That's her instinct—beautifully honed."
Edgeshot nodded. "She's refined her wildness into a blade."
Even Best Jeanist gave a rare smile. "Savage, but elegant. Controlled chaos."
Endeavor's arms were crossed, but he gave a single approving grunt.
"She's strong," he muttered. "Very strong."
--
Class 1-A 1-B React
"Okay, I felt that hit," Kaminari said. "In my spine."
"Rumi is scary," Ochako muttered.
"She's efficient," Momo said. "And kind of terrifying."
Todoroki tilted his head. "…She launched herself through her opponent's defense. Without any form of hesitation."
"Just say she's cool, dude," Kirishima said, laughing.
"I already did."
Ibara, back near the gate, stood and bowed. "I yield with no bitterness. May your strength be used righteously."
Rumi raised two fingers in a casual salute. "May your vines stay untangled."
Back in the stands, Rumi was all swagger and satisfaction, sweat glistening, her hair wind-blown from the momentum.
She barely got two steps before Izuku was on her.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in, laughing.
"You were amazing."
"I know," she said with a grin, pulling him down into a quick, heated kiss.
"You smashed through her defense like a cannonball."
"Damn right I did."
He cupped her face gently. "I'm so proud of you."
Rumi softened—just a little. "Yeah, yeah. Now grab me a drink, fanboy. I'm parched."
He laughed again, eyes gleaming. "Coming right up."
The loudspeakers buzzed back to life.
"And now, our final match of the quarterfinals… Katsuki Bakugo vs. Fumikage Tokoyami!"
The atmosphere shifted instantly.
The cheers turned sharper. The energy crackled.
Two boys, two storms, walking toward the same ring.
One with a black beast at his side.
The other?
All fire.
The stadium simmered in the aftermath of Rumi's explosive match. Energy buzzed in the stands, adrenaline still high. But the atmosphere was changing. Sharpening.
Because now—
Bakugo was stepping onto the field.
Boots hit the stone with slow, deliberate weight. No fanfare. No waving. His expression was a blade honed to kill. Sharp eyes, fists half-clenched, palms already hissing with ignition. He didn't look at the crowd. He didn't look at the judges. He only looked forward.
Fumikage Tokoyami stood opposite him, calm and collected, his cloak billowing. Dark Shadow loomed behind him, larger than normal—its form less a partner, more a sentinel cast in living shadow.
Even the crowd quieted. Not out of boredom. Out of respect.
--
Commentary Booth
Aizawa leaned into his mic, tone unusually grim. "Bakugo's carrying pressure. The others have had their moments. He hasn't. He's coiled. And about to strike."
Beside him, Present Mic was unusually subdued. "Yeah… and Tokoyami's not the kind of guy you want to stand in front of when there's blood in the water."
--
Top Ten Box
Crust leaned forward with his arms braced on the railing. "Ooooh boy, this is gonna be ugly. Tokoyami's a powerhouse in shadow—but light? That's a different story."
Ryukyu nodded. "Bakugo's smart. Brutal, but not mindless."
Best Jeanist spoke calmly, eyes locked on the ring. "He doesn't suppress his aggression. He weaponizes it."
Edgeshot crossed his arms. "This match won't be long. But it will leave a mark."
--
Arena Floor
One hand dropped. The bell echoed.
And Bakugo exploded.
He blasted from the ground with a roar of combustion, body twisting mid-air. BOOM!
Tokoyami moved instantly, cloak swirling as Dark Shadow lashed upward to intercept. The blow hit hard—flinging Bakugo to the side. But he adjusted in the air, rolled, and landed with a backhanded blast that cracked the ring.
Bakugo grinned. "Tch. You hit harder than you look."
Dark Shadow growled.
Bakugo flared his palm, lighting the area around him. Light splashed across Dark Shadow's form, causing it to shudder.
"That's it," Bakugo said. "You don't like that, do you?"
And then he charged.
--
Class 1-A Reactions
Mina winced. "He's gonna take the whole ring apart!"
"He's always aggressive," Momo said, voice low, "but this is… calculated. Like he wants to punish something."
Shoto added quietly, "It's like fighting a spotlight with fists."
Kaminari blinked. "Wait. That was poetic. Was that poetry, Todoroki?"
"It was literal," Shoto replied.
"Oh my god," Mina whispered, delighted.
Izuku watched silently, brow furrowed. He understood. Bakugo wasn't just trying to win.
He was trying to prove something.
Rumi stood. "Gonna hit the bathroom."
Izuku turned. "You okay?"
She flashed a grin. "Fine. Don't get sappy."
She walked off.
But her steps were fast. Too fast.
—
Inside the Bathroom
Rumi gripped the edge of the sink, staring into the mirror.
The explosions still echoed inside her. Her jaw flexed. Her hand trembled. Once. She stared at the movement like it had betrayed her.
Her ears twitched involuntarily as another blast echoed in the distance.
She exhaled.
Low. Controlled.
"Come on, rabbit. You're good."
She looked up. Eyes clear. Smile fixed.
Then she turned and walked out like nothing happened.
--
Back on the Field
Tokoyami had managed to create distance, Dark Shadow spiraling in defense.
Bakugo was above.
He came down with a flash of light and sound, slamming into the ground with a massive blast that washed over Dark Shadow like a flare.
Dark Shadow screamed and shrank back.
Tokoyami's eyes widened. He raised his arms—
Bakugo grabbed his wrist mid-motion and exploded them both into the air.
They hit the ground. Tokoyami bounced. And rolled. Out of bounds.
Midnight's Voice Cut Through
"Victory: Katsuki Bakugo by ring out!"
--
Pro Box Reactions
Crust let out a low whistle. "Guy fights like a bomb on legs."
Ryukyu nodded slowly. "And he knows exactly when to light the fuse."
Best Jeanist offered a small hum. "He fought the shadow by becoming the sun."
Endeavor watched in silence. But his eyes burned a little brighter.
--
Class 1A Section
Rumi returned she slipped back into her seat beside Izuku. He looked at her sideways.
Her smile was the same. But he noticed the tightness in her shoulders. He didn't ask. Instead, he laced their fingers together.
And she gave him a quick, grateful squeeze.
Midnight's voice returned as the scoreboard changed.
"And that concludes the quarterfinals! We will now take a short intermission. Fighters, prepare for your next battles."
The screen flashed:
Semifinal 1: Izuku Midoriya vs. Tenya Iida
Semifinal 2: Rumi Usagiyama vs. Katsuki Bakugo
The stadium roared.
And the sky above them darkened—not with clouds.
But with expectation.
The crowd still buzzed after the last match, the roars and lights slowly fading into a steady hum. Repairs continued below, but in the stands, the energy had finally started to ease—the pressure bleeding off, replaced by laughter, voices, and the familiar warmth of a shared moment.
Class 1-A gathered loosely in a semi-circle, many of them still standing. The tension had finally cracked, and with it, so had the silence.
Mina leaned on the railing, glancing between students. "So... anyone else feel like we're in the semifinals of a pro league tournament?"
"Because it's definitely giving that vibe," Kaminari replied.
"This is beyond anything I imagined when I signed up for U.A.," Momo said, still trying to process it all. "These matches… they feel like war zones."
"It's awesome," Kirishima grinned. "Like… you can really feel it. Everyone's pushing past their limits."
"And the limits are pushing back," Jiro added.
"That explosion at the end," Sero said, shaking his head, "I thought the whole arena was gonna fold in on itself."
"It was impressive," Shoji added, arms crossed. "Bakugo's control in the air is underrated."
"I still think it was too much," Sato muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "Felt like a demolition site."
"I think Bakugo's style is effective," Ojiro said carefully. "But man, it doesn't leave much room for mistakes."
"Oui, but so dramatic," Aoyama added with a sparkle in his eye. "Boom! Light! Fierceness! Magnifique!"
Tokoyami returned quietly, his uniform singed and steps steady but tired. He gave no dramatic entrance, no fanfare—just a quiet dignity.
But that didn't stop the class.
"Yo!" Kirishima called. "Dude, you were amazing out there!"
"You really made Bakugo work for it," Sero added.
"Ribbit. You looked cool," Tsuyu said simply.
Tokoyami bowed his head slightly. "I was overpowered. But I am grateful for the experience."
Rumi gave him a grin from where she sat with Izuku. "You held your ground. That counts for a lot."
Shoji nodded. "You stood tall, even in the worst of it. That matters."
Ojiro offered a quiet thumbs up. "You fought with precision. We all saw it."
Aoyama placed a hand over his chest. "A duel of shadows and fire. Very poetic."
Tokoyami dipped his head slightly, accepting the words with grace.
Then came Bakugo, returning alone. He walked past them all. No words. No glances.
Just clenched fists and a silence that buzzed like static.
Mina opened her mouth.
Kaminari shook his head. "Don't."
Bakugo climbed into the rows above and sat down, arms crossed, jaw locked. Watching. Waiting.
The screen above the arena pulsed again.
Midnight's voice returned.
"Fighters for Semifinal One—please make your way to the prep rooms. Izuku Midoriya. Tenya Iida. Your moment awaits."
The class turned.
Izuku exhaled and stood.
Rumi nudged his arm with her elbow. "Go make me proud, Zuku."
He smiled, then looked at the others.
"Thanks, everyone. I'll see you after."
"Crush it, Midoriya," Kirishima called.
"Don't break your arm this time," Mina grinned.
"Give us another show," Sero added.
"I believe in you," Shoji said.
"Bonne chance!" Aoyama sparkled.
Ojiro smiled. "Just fight your way."
Sato gave a firm nod. "You got this."
Izuku laughed softly, eyes bright.
Iida gave a respectful nod to the group, and then to Izuku.
"Let us go," he said firmly. "It is time to test our resolve."
And with that, both walked down into the tunnel.
Two friends. Two rivals.
The semi finals were about to begin.
End of Chapter 12
Ok next up semifinals and I'm really excited for it. Please review and leave your opinion on if you would want the I-Isand arc or not.