Chapter 41: Tetsutetsu's Future

Early the next morning, Kaminari met Tetsutetsu at the entrance of the subway station as planned, and the two headed off to U.A. High School in Shizuoka Prefecture together. This time, no one was driving them.

"Hey, what's up with you?" Kaminari asked as soon as he sat down, frowning at Tetsutetsu, who was sitting across from him. "Did you get into a fight after school yesterday?"

It was hard not to make that assumption based on Tetsutetsu's current appearance. Not only did he have a band-aid on his nose, but there was another one peeking out from the cuff of his sleeve.

"Uh… well, haha, it's nothing serious!" Tetsutetsu scratched the back of his head, glancing sheepishly out the window. "I wasn't fighting anyone. It's just that my training with Mr. Daimon was a bit intense yesterday. I wasn't paying attention during one of the throws, and I ended up landing on my face…"

He inwardly sighed, thinking to himself how embarrassing it was to be distracted during practice, trying to analyze Mr. Daimon's moves while being tossed around like a rag doll.

Trying to steer the conversation away from himself, he quickly asked, "Forget about me, what happened to your glove? You used to always wear it."

Kaminari shrugged, sensing that Tetsutetsu didn't want to delve into the details. Everyone had secrets they preferred to keep, after all.

"I sent it to I-Island for some upgrades," he said casually. "I wanted to add a few more features."

"Like what, the ability to play music?" Tetsutetsu asked, half-jokingly. He hadn't forgotten the scene during the practical exam when Kaminari used the glove to blast an electromagnetic cannon while a rock soundtrack played in the background. That was a moment not easily forgotten especially for the person being launched through the air.

"Yeah, among other things," Kaminari replied, nodding without any hesitation. It was clear that he didn't think there was anything odd about having a built-in BGM function. Or perhaps he knew it was unconventional but just didn't care.

"Speaking of which…" Kaminari suddenly closed the book on electromagnetism he'd been reading and leaned forward. "I've been thinking about your Quirk, and I might have some ideas that could help you out."

"Really? Tell me!" Tetsutetsu perked up immediately, looking at Kaminari with hopeful eyes. At this point, he basically considered Kaminari his unofficial Quirk advisor.

"Well… before I get into that, do you know who Kirishima Eijiro is in our class?" Kaminari asked.

Tetsutetsu's expression soured at the mention of the name. "Of course, I know him. His Quirk overlaps with mine, and it looks like he's aiming to be the hardest Hero around."

Clenching his fists, he declared, "Hmph, I'll show him! There's going to be a massive gap between us—an unscalable mountain. And that mountain is me, the future 'Colossus!'"

Kaminari sighed. The sudden burst of enthusiasm seemed a bit over-the-top. "I'm sure you'll get stronger, no doubt. But if we're being honest, when it comes to sheer hardness, I think Kirishima's Quirk might have the edge over your steel."

"What?! That's impossible!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed, clearly shaken. He had always believed that his Quirk was top-tier in terms of toughness. Of course, after meeting Kaminari, he had been forced to reconsider his position somewhat, but still, this was a hard pill to swallow.

"Calm down and hear me out," Kaminari said, patting Tetsutetsu on the arm. The outburst had drawn a few glances from the surrounding passengers, so it was best not to cause a scene.

"Hmph," Tetsutetsu grunted, sitting back down with a defiant look, as if daring Kaminari to prove his point.

"Alright," Kaminari began, suppressing a smile. "Here's the thing. Kirishima's Quirk is called 'Hardening.' He can harden his skin either globally or locally. While that might sound similar to your 'Steel,' I'm not talking about the similarities but rather the potential upper limits. Your Quirk's limit is defined—steel has a fixed hardness. But for Kirishima, it seems like there isn't an obvious cap on how hard he can get."

"Of course, I'm not saying that his hardening is 'limitless,' but I'm guessing that his upper threshold is higher than yours. If that's the case, the gap might not be noticeable now, but as you both continue to grow, you might find it becoming more apparent."

Tetsutetsu was silent, trying to process Kaminari's words. Although much of what Kaminari was saying was speculation, it wasn't entirely unfounded. He couldn't deny the logic behind it, even if he didn't want to accept it.

"If… if what you're saying is true, then what can I do about it?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Kaminari grinned. "I have an idea, though I can't guarantee it'll work." He didn't see guessing as a bad thing—in fact, many scientific breakthroughs started with a hypothesis. And considering they were only fifteen, they had the luxury of trial and error. Even if they failed, the experience would be invaluable.

Tetsutetsu's gaze stayed fixed on Kaminari, waiting for his friend to continue.

"Your first step is to focus on 'shaping,'" Kaminari said.

"Shaping?" Tetsutetsu repeated, puzzled.

"Yeah," Kaminari explained. "Look at your hands when you use your Quirk." He pointed at Tetsutetsu's iron-covered fingers. "Notice how they're slightly sharper now? And the way your hair hardens—it becomes like metal spikes."

Tetsutetsu looked at his hands, then touched his stiff, metallic hair. "You're right… they do look sharper."

"So," Kaminari continued, "I'm wondering if your Quirk has hidden passive abilities related to shaping and sharpness. If your fingers and hair can take on sharper forms, why not other parts of your body? With the right training, you might be able to consciously shape different parts of your body, turning a passive effect into an active ability."

Tetsutetsu's eyes widened. If that were true, it would open up a whole new world of possibilities for his Quirk. "You mean, I could turn my entire arm or leg into a blade?" he asked, excitement creeping into his voice.

"Exactly!" Kaminari nodded. "Start by focusing on the changes you feel in your fingers when you activate your Quirk. Compare that sensation to other parts of your body. Once you can identify the difference, try to apply that feeling elsewhere."

Kaminari knew that in this world, Quirks were closely linked to the body's natural functions. Just as athletes could learn to control individual muscle groups, it made sense that someone could learn to manipulate the unique aspects of their Quirk with enough practice.

"If Tetsutetsu actually manages to pull this off, we might need to come up with a new hero name for him… Blade Man? Iron Slicer?" Kaminari thought, grinning at the prospect.

His old habit of brainstorming hero names had returned.

Chapter 42 Pikachu Band!

"Kaminari!"

As Kaminari and the preoccupied Tetsutetsu walked into Class 1-A, Yaoyorozu Momo, who had just arrived and hung her expensive schoolbag on the hook beside her desk, called out to them.

"Good morning, Yaoyorozu-san!" Kaminari greeted her with a smile, waving as he walked to his seat. After greeting a few other classmates, he pulled a sealed file folder from his Pikachu-themed backpack, a product made by his family's company.

"What's this?" Yaoyorozu, who looked as polished as always, accepted the folder from Kaminari, her expression curious.

"It's some suggestions and theories I put together for the development of your Quirk," Kaminari explained. "I thought it might be helpful. Take a look when you have time."

"Ah? Oh! Thank you, thank you!" Yaoyorozu's face lit up with surprise and gratitude. The folder felt substantial in her hands, and it was clear there was a lot of content inside. She immediately understood that Kaminari had put a lot of thought and effort into this.

As the eldest daughter of the Yaoyorozu family, one of Japan's wealthiest and most influential families Momo had always been surrounded by support. Even before she was born, a team of Quirk researchers had been preparing for her potential Quirk development. Once she awakened her Quirk, "Creation," the experts in her family developed a detailed training plan for her, based on a thorough analysis of her abilities.

Her extensive knowledge wasn't just due to her own hard work; the resources and guidance provided by her family played a significant role. In fact, it was the analysis team's recognition of "Creation's" potential that had led her to pursue a path in the Hero Course. Otherwise, as a member of such a prestigious family, a career in business management would have been a more traditional choice.

Because of this background, the analysis and suggestions Kaminari prepared might not hold much technical value compared to the advice from professional researchers. But that didn't lessen the importance she placed on this folder. It was the first genuine, thoughtful gift she had received at U.A., and the sentiment behind it meant a lot to her.

"This is a token of appreciation for helping me," Yaoyorozu thought to herself, clutching the file tightly. "I need to keep it safe."

Kaminari noticed how carefully she took the folder and felt a sense of satisfaction. He knew full well that the Yaoyorozu family had their own experts, and his analysis might not be groundbreaking for her. But he had still spent two hours compiling it.

Was it a waste of time? Maybe. Was it pointless? He didn't think so.

Many people hesitate to give gifts they've made themselves, worrying if they are practical or valuable enough. Kaminari believed that a gift's value wasn't just about its utility or price; it was about the thought behind it. Even if his suggestions weren't particularly useful, he was confident that Yaoyorozu would appreciate the gesture.

Besides, as a time traveler, who's to say his insights didn't hold some worth?

After four regular classes, Kaminari noticed something odd. Jiro, who usually came up to chat during breaks, seemed hesitant and kept stopping herself from saying something. This continued until lunch.

--

"Wow, this Mapo tofu is amazing!" Kaminari exclaimed as he savored a bite of the spicy, flavorful dish in U.A.'s bustling cafeteria. "

He had underestimated U.A.'s culinary offerings. As a top-tier school, they certainly didn't cut corners, and the prices were astonishingly affordable. "Only 1,000 yen for a plate of spicy tofu? That's practically a steal!" he thought, comparing it to the cost of dining at a Chinese restaurant outside.

"Kaminari-kun, do you really like spicy food that much?" Yaoyorozu asked, surprised as she watched him devour the fiery red tofu. She couldn't imagine eating something that spicy.

Even Tetsutetsu and Jiro, who were familiar with Kaminari's tastes, looked on with curious expressions. Spicy food wasn't exactly common fare for most Japanese people.

"Yeah, I love it," Kaminari admitted with a grin, scooping another bite onto his spoon. "But it's pretty pricey outside, so I only get to enjoy it once in a while."

Seeing how much he enjoyed it, they decided not to comment further. After all, personal tastes varied, and it wasn't worth making a big deal out of.

"Um… Kaminari," Jiro finally spoke up, setting her water glass down nervously. "I… I wanted to talk to you about something."

Kaminari raised an eyebrow, sensing that this was the reason behind her odd behavior all morning. "I thought something was off with you today. You're not acting like the usual cool Kyoka I know. Alright, go ahead. What's on your mind?"

Jiro hesitated again but then took a deep breath. "Well, you know how I mentioned before that I really like your music…"

"Yeah?" Kaminari nodded, still unsure of where this was going.

"Hey, don't interrupt!" Jiro snapped, her voice rising slightly in frustration.

"Pfft—" Kaminari burst out laughing, catching Jiro off guard. She glared at him, annoyed. "What's so funny?"

"I'm just glad to see the Kyoka I know is back," he said, his smile not fading.

Jiro felt her tension ease at Kaminari's teasing tone, and her expression softened. For some reason, seeing his relaxed smile made her feel a bit more confident. "I can play rock, too, you know. I'm pretty good with the bass, guitar, and even the keyboard. So… I was wondering if… you'd be interested in jamming together sometime?"

She blurted out her words in one breath, her voice louder than usual, drawing the attention of some other students nearby.

"Sure!" Kaminari agreed immediately, not missing a beat. "Actually, why don't we form a band?"

"Wait, what?!" Jiro stared at him in disbelief. She hadn't expected him to be so enthusiastic or to take the conversation in this direction. It wasn't what she'd pictured in her head.

Nearby, a few of their classmates, including Yaoyorozu, Tetsutetsu, Midoriya, and Todoroki, couldn't help but listen in with curiosity.

"Yeah!" Kaminari continued, his eyes bright with excitement. "I even thought of a band name. How about we call ourselves the 'Pikachu Band'? And I've already got an idea for our first single!"

Chapter 43: The Way of The Raikage

The decision to form the 'Pikachu' band was made so casually during lunch that Jiro only began to process her emotions after returning to the classroom.

"Wait... I'm already in a band with Kaminari?!"

Oh, right, and the band's name... Pikachu?

In her mind, an image popped up of a bright yellow electric mouse, shredding on an electric guitar and jamming out to "Only My Railgun."

"Pfft—"

Jiro couldn't help but laugh out loud, smiling to herself. "That's a pretty cute name, actually."

At that moment, the sound of steady footsteps echoed from outside the door. Before the door even opened, a familiar voice boomed into the room.

"Wa-ta-shi-ga-kitaa!!"

The moment that voice reached the classroom, Midoriya was the first to react. While most people were only somewhat familiar with the voice, Midoriya had no doubt. He knew that voice by heart.

BANG—*

"Come in through the door normally!!"

The door swung open violently, and in the next moment, the towering figure of All Might stepped into Class A.

"Ohhh—"

"Whoa!!"

"It's All Might!!"

"I can't believe it! He really is a teacher here at U.A.!"

Excitement rippled through the class. Most of the students couldn't contain their enthusiasm at seeing Japan's strongest Hero. Even usually composed students like Shoto Todoroki and Yaoyorozu Momo looked impressed.

After all, this man wasn't just any Hero—he was the "Symbol of Peace", recognized as the greatest Hero of the modern era. Everyone had grown up hearing stories about him or seeing him on TV. For most students, this was a surreal moment.

There might be kids in Japan who didn't know the Prime Minister's name, but there wasn't a single person who didn't know who All Might was.

"Finally, I get to meet All Might in person."

Kaminari wasn't as starstruck as some of the others, but he still acknowledged All Might's presence with due respect. There was no denying the awe-inspiring aura surrounding the man. Kaminari had watched enough videos to know that All Might's power was on a completely different level compared to other Pro Heroes.

Even Endeavor, Japan's second-ranked Hero, didn't quite measure up to All Might in terms of raw strength and impact in battle.

One particular video stuck in Kaminari's mind, a short clip that only lasted about thirty seconds. It showed All Might fighting a villain with a cloning Quirk.

With just one punch—

The sheer air pressure from a simple straight punch sent nearly twenty clones and the ground beneath them flying hundreds of meters into the air.

And in the final moments of the video, Kaminari could faintly see layers of clouds being dispersed by the force of All Might's punch, which he later confirmed after multiple viewings.

Kaminari still remembered how that day he couldn't help but blurt out the words, "One Punch Man." His father, not understanding the reference, even praised him for the apt description.

In his mind, All Might was akin to a living, breathing nuclear bomb in human form. As he stood at the podium, Kaminari couldn't help but acknowledge the sheer destructive potential this man held.

All Might struck a pose similar to that of a bodybuilder and, with a voice that had inspired hope in countless people, announced:

"Without further ado, today's lesson is…"

"Combat training!!"

The one who reacted most excitedly was, unsurprisingly, Bakugo, who had been itching for a fight. His mind instantly conjured up scenarios of facing off against Midoriya, Kaminari, and Tetsutetsu, imagining glorious victories in each battle.

Needless to say, in his mind, he was never the one getting beaten.

"And with that comes this!"

"Look here!"

All Might gestured toward the wall, where four rows of large cabinets slid open, revealing rows of boxes marked with green numbers.

"These are your battle uniforms, customized based on the 'Quirk Reports' and 'Requirement Ideas' you submitted before enrollment!"

"Whoa!!"

Kirishima, Tetsutetsu, and others couldn't hide their excitement. They hadn't expected to be putting on their own Hero costumes so soon!

At that moment, All Might's gaze fell on Kaminari, who had been quietly observing him. Their eyes met, and for a brief second, Kaminari was caught off guard.

All Might smiled warmly, thinking Kaminari might be one of his fans, similar to Midoriya.

"Young Kaminari, your battle suit was temporarily transferred to a different support company, so the newest version hasn't been completed yet. For today, you'll be using the one crafted by your previous support team."

"Got it."

Kaminari nodded, then walked over to retrieve his gear. Once he returned to his seat, he didn't immediately open the package like the others. Instead, he glanced at his right hand and thought to himself, "If the electric gloves are still part of the set, then it's good enough."

He shook his head slightly, resigning himself to the temporary gear. He then turned his attention to the white and gold battle suit laid out on the desk. Compared to some of his classmates' armored or high-tech suits, his outfit was rather simple.

It consisted of a white robe with gold accents, paired with a small, headphone-like device that seemed to function as a wireless communicator, assuming the support company had followed his original design.

"Whoa—"

Kaminari pulled off his school uniform jacket and slipped into the robe with casual ease. His dramatic movements caused the long back hem of the robe to float in the air briefly, revealing the characters emblazoned on it.

"The First Raikage... Kaminari, what does that mean?" Tetsutetsu, sitting behind him, asked curiously. His question caught the attention of Yaoyorozu Momo, Jiro, and several others who were nearby.

They exchanged confused glances none of them seemed to understand the reference, even Yaoyorozu, who prided herself on her vast knowledge. She knew what "First Generation" meant, but what about 'Raikage'?

"It's a title I've given myself."

Kaminari finished adjusting the communicator in his ear, then turned around with a confident smile. He explained, "The will of thunder follows like a shadow, always present. That's the meaning of 'Thunder Shadow.'"

He paused for a moment, his smile deepening. "And as for 'First Generation,' it represents my ambition. I plan to be the founder of a new legacy, a new way of the thunder quirk."

Chapter 44: Smash and Railgun

"Nice dream!"

All Might gave a thumbs up and laughed. "Young Kaminari, remember your words today. They will surely guide you through your future growth!"

"Yes," Kaminari nodded, acknowledging the praise.

"Raikage, huh?" Bakugo muttered to himself, thinking about the title. Finally, he scoffed and grumbled, "What a weird name." But the thought triggered something inside him. He began contemplating his future Hero name, "it had to be more impressive than Kaminari's!"

"How about... 'Explosion King'? Yeah, that sounds badass!"

At that moment, All Might signaled for everyone to get ready. Once the students had taken turns changing into their Hero costumes, they were instructed to meet in the school's 'simulated community' the "Beta Playground" for training. All Might left first to prepare the venue.

Fifteen minutes later, all twenty members of Class 1-A, now donned in their custom Hero outfits, stepped out of the dark corridor, emerging like heroes from a comic book panel. Every one of them exuded an aura of confidence and anticipation.

"Should I be playing 'Hero' right now?" Kaminari mused to himself, imagining a dramatic soundtrack to match their entrance. If only he had brought some music equipment with him, he might have actually done it.

"Not bad! Everyone looks sharp!" All Might's booming voice rang out as he observed the students, a sense of pride welling up in his chest. These young men and women, he thought, were the future pillars of the Hero world.

"Good!" All Might clapped his hands. "Then let's get started, fertilized eggs!"

"..."

Kaminari felt a vein pop in his forehead as he mentally cursed, "Did All Might just call us... fertilized eggs? Is this a normal thing for him to say?"

He glanced around and realized no one else seemed phased by the comment. "Maybe it's not an insult after all... I'll have to look this up later," he concluded.

All Might, however, had already begun explaining the details of today's lesson.

"Although most of what you see in the news are outdoor villain battles, statistically speaking, there's a much higher probability of dealing with villains indoors. Imprisonment, house arrests, underground trades... These all occur indoors, away from the public eye."

He paused for a moment, coughing slightly before continuing.

"Ahem. Anyway, the most cunning villains hide in the shadows. Today's exercise will be a two-on-two indoor battle scenario. You'll be split into two groups: Villains and Heroes. The villains will hide a 'nuclear weapon' somewhere in their stronghold, and it's the Heroes' job to locate and secure it within the time limit. The villains, of course, must protect it or capture the Heroes to win."

All Might paused again, giving the students time to process the rules before continuing. "The location of the nuclear weapon is up to the villain team, so make sure to consider your Quirks when deciding where to place it."

Kaminari nodded to himself. "Simple enough. Use Quirks to either defend or attack in a confined space. Got it."

The next part of the exercise involved randomly drawing names to determine the teams, which All Might had prepared in advance. He pulled names from two separate boxes, announcing the pairings.

Group A: Midoriya Izuku and Uraraka Ochaco

Group B: Shoto Todoroki and Shoji Mezo

Group C: Yaoyorozu Momo and Minoru Mineta

Group D: Bakugo Katsuki and Iida Tenya

Group E: Ashido Mina and Aoyama Yuga

Group F: Sero Hanta and Koda Koji

Group G: Kaminari Denki and Jiro Kyoka

Group H: Tokoyami Fumikage and Asui Tsuyu

Group I: Ojiro Mashirao and Toru Hagakure

Group J: Kirishima Eijiro and Tetsutetsu Tetsu

Kaminari glanced at his partner, Jiro Kyoka, and then over at Tetsutetsu, who had been paired with Kirishima. A smile tugged at his lips. "Those two hard-headed guys together? That's going to be something."

The students quickly gathered with their assigned partners, some of them shouting words of encouragement, others whispering quietly to discuss strategy. However, students like Bakugo and Todoroki remained silent, both exuding confidence that seemed to make them oblivious to their partners.

"Now, for the first match!" All Might announced with his characteristic grin, pulling out two number balls from the black and white boxes.

"Group A will be the Heroes!" He pointed toward Midoriya and Uraraka. "Group D will be the villains!" He gestured to Bakugo and Iida.

"The rest of you, head to the control room to observe!"

As Kaminari followed the rest of the class to the dimly lit control room, his gaze lingered on Midoriya. "This should be interesting. Let's see what your Quirks are really about."

"Kaminari," Jiro's voice interrupted his thoughts as she leaned in close to whisper, "You seem really interested in Midoriya."

"Hmm?" Kaminari blinked, momentarily distracted by her proximity before nodding. "Yeah, I am. Don't you think his Quirks are fascinating? He acts like he's got nothing special going on, but when he uses his power, it's like he's an entirely different person. I'm curious to see what he'll do in this exercise."

The screens in front of them flickered to life, displaying different angles of the simulation area. Kaminari watched intently as Midoriya and Bakugo squared off. Midoriya's early moves were impressive, showing quick thinking and an almost preternatural ability to predict Bakugo's actions.

"Midoriya's clever," Kaminari thought, feeling a sense of appreciation for the boy's tactical skills. "But how much of that comes from knowing Bakugo's moves ahead of time?"

Suddenly, one of the screens was engulfed in fire, the sheer power of Bakugo's explosion overwhelming the camera feed. Kaminari and the others could only stare, feeling the heat of the blast even through the monitor.

"Woah! He went all out!" Kirishima exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief. "It's just training, man. Was that really necessary?"

"Yeah, what was he thinking? He could've seriously hurt Midoriya in such a confined space," Tetsutetsu muttered, his expression darkening. His opinion of Bakugo had already been low, but this just pushed it lower. "Reckless idiot."

"Hold on," Kaminari pointed at the screen, where Midoriya had reappeared, seemingly unharmed. "Midoriya's fine. Look, he's about to make his move."

And just as Kaminari predicted, Midoriya shone once again. This time, however, it wasn't just his fingers that were glowing—his entire right arm was charged with power.

"Smaaashhhhhh!"

The soundless shockwave from Midoriya's punch was displayed on the monitors, the sheer force obliterating the ceiling and much of the surrounding area. The building shook as if a bomb had gone off.

"...What the hell did I just watch?" Kaminari muttered, his mind struggling to comprehend the level of power Midoriya had just unleashed. It was similar to the destructive force of his own railgun—perhaps even stronger in terms of raw impact.

The room fell silent as they processed what had just happened. Jiro, who had been quietly watching beside Kaminari, suddenly spoke up.

"That... that's about the same as when you used your move with Tetsutetsu, right?"

Her words snapped the rest of the class out of their shock, drawing their attention to Kaminari. All Might, standing nearby, also seemed to recall that golden flash from Kaminari's practical exam.

Indeed, as Kaminari processed the comparison, All Might's gaze shifted toward him. "Kaminari's railgun back then was just as powerful as Midoriya's Smash. But while Midoriya can only unleash such force with One For All and suffer intense backlash... Kaminari managed that without any visible drawbacks."

Chapter 45: The Second Battle Between Group B And Group G

Kaminari saw the look in All Might's eyes and could already guess what was running through his mind. Laughing, he joked, "For those who are curious, maybe once Midoriya recovers from his injuries, we can have him try out my Railgun. Let's see whose moves pack more punch!"

Though Kaminari was half-joking, a small part of him was genuinely curious. However, he also knew All Might would never agree to something so dangerous.

Sure enough...

"Good joke!" All Might smiled but quickly became serious, casting a glance at Midoriya on the screen. "But that's way too dangerous. First of all, I won't allow it under any circumstances, and I hope none of you even consider trying it in private!"

His tone darkened. "From my experience, if your powers were to clash head-on, the resulting shockwave would likely be fatal. Even if you were lucky enough to survive, serious injury would be inevitable!"

"So... Kaminari, promise me you won't entertain that thought again."

Kaminari shrugged, feeling slightly disappointed but understanding the weight of All Might's warning. "Alright, I was just messing around. I won't."

Hearing this, All Might finally relaxed. He had been genuinely worried that these young and reckless students might try to settle their curiosity by challenging each other to see who was stronger.

Ordinary teenagers could have a scuffle and get away with a few bruises. But if Kaminari and Midoriya, both capable of incredibly destructive power, fought recklessly, the consequences would be catastrophic.

At that moment, Midoriya had already been transferred to the school's infirmary for recovery. Meanwhile, Bakugo, Iida, and Uraraka returned to the monitoring room, awaiting All Might's final evaluation.

The outcome of the battle was clear: Midoriya's Group A won the training exercise. However, from a real-world perspective, the situation told a different story.

Neither Bakugo nor Iida had suffered injuries or been captured, whereas both Midoriya and Uraraka were incapacitated one severely injured, the other barely conscious. In an actual combat scenario, their defeat would have been certain.

That's why Tokoyami had whispered to himself, "Win the battle, lose the war."

"The best performer this time was Iida," All Might declared in his usual booming voice.

Kaminari silently agreed with this assessment. Midoriya and Bakugo had approached the exercise like it was just a school test, but they had overlooked a critical aspect: the essence of the Hero course was to train them to be professional Heroes. To truly succeed, they needed to approach every exercise with the mindset of a professional Hero, not just students.

Kaminari had grasped this idea during the entrance exam and used it to guide his actions, opting to tackle the "zero-point" robot despite knowing he might fail. He had focused on the bigger picture.

Once Yaoyorozu finished her detailed analysis of the match, All Might prepared for the next round.

"Alright! Let's move to a new location and get ready for the second battle!"

After relocating to another control room in a different building, All Might reminded everyone, "Be sure to reflect on Yaoyorozu's excellent feedback. Think carefully about it before you dive into this next match."

With that, he reached into the black and white boxes once again to determine the teams.

"In the second battle, the Heroes team will be... Group B! The villains will be... Group G!"

As the results were announced, the students exchanged glances, each trying to remember who was in which group. Then Kaminari Denki, Jiro Kyoka, Shoto Todoroki, and Shoji Mezo stepped forward and walked out in silence.

"It's Kaminari versus Todoroki!" Sero exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement.

"Haha, this is going to be intense!" Mina Ashido practically bounced with enthusiasm.

Bakugo, however, remained silent. Of all the students in Class 1-A, he was the most eager to see how Kaminari and Todoroki's powers measured up. Were they really so much stronger than him? He couldn't accept that. He wouldn't.

"There's no way I'm gonna settle for third place," Bakugo thought, his fists clenching as he watched Kaminari and Todoroki leave. "I'm the best. I'm the one who's going to win."

"I didn't expect those two to be paired up..." All Might muttered to himself, his expression serious. Then, turning to the rest of the class, he said, "You all stay here. I'm going outside to keep an eye on things."

Without much explanation, he left quickly, preparing to intervene if anything went wrong.

"Whoa! Their match even has All Might nervous!" Kirishima said, scratching the back of his head and grinning.

"I'm looking forward to it too," Yaoyorozu added, her gaze following Kaminari on the screen.

"Tch, Kaminari will win for sure!" Tetsutetsu declared with absolute confidence in his friend.

For once, no one argued with him. Kaminari's earlier performance had earned him the respect of the class, and many believed he had the strength to stand toe-to-toe with Shoto Todoroki, the top recommended student. But which one was stronger? That was the real question.

Meanwhile, on the fourth floor of the building where the battle would take place, Kaminari and Jiro were preparing.

"Jiro," Kaminari said, glancing at her. "Your Quirk lets you amplify your heartbeat and use it as a sound-based attack, right?"

Jiro nodded, pointing to her special combat boots. "Yeah, I can emit mid-range sound waves through these speakers. It's powerful enough to cause some serious damage."

"Good. You'll stay here and guard the corridor. If Shoji shows up, try to hold him off until time runs out."

Jiro frowned. "What about Todoroki? His ice powers are—"

"I'll handle Todoroki. He won't make it to this floor." Kaminari clicked the communicator on his ear and began walking toward the exit.

"Where are you going? Are you seriously planning to take them both on by yourself?!" Jiro asked, her voice laced with worry.

Kaminari smirked, not stopping as he headed down the stairs. "Todoroki's Quirk is ice. If we stay in a confined space, we're done for. I'm going to drag him outside."

Jiro blinked in confusion. "Fight him... outside?"

Even All Might, listening through his earpiece, raised an eyebrow. "This boy... is he really planning to fight Todoroki head-on?"

On the other side of the building, Shoto Todoroki and Shoji Mezo had already begun their approach.

"There's someone in a room on the north side of the fourth floor," Shoji reported, his four additional ears relaying the information. "The other one... they're moving fast, coming straight toward us."

Todoroki nodded and stepped forward. "Go outside. It's going to get dangerous in here."

Before Shoji could respond, a bright golden light flashed from the dark hallway. The light intensified rapidly, accompanied by the crackling sound of electricity.

"He's here!" Shoji shouted.

Todoroki's expression remained calm, but his movements were swift. He pressed his hand against the wall and activated his ice Quirk.

In an instant, the corridor was filled with thick, glistening icicles that shot forward, rapidly expanding and freezing everything in their path.

"Your strategy isn't bad," Todoroki thought as he focused on the approaching light. "But there's a gap between us you won't be able to close."

Sizzle!*

...

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