Aizawa let out a long sigh, stepping aside as he uncrossed his arms. "Go ahead. Don't let me keep you. But remember, even if you're fine now, that hesitation—whether you want to call it nerves or something else—it'll come back. You'll need to deal with it sooner or later." His voice softened, more than usual, but just as serious.
"I am sure it's nothing," he said, jogging down the hallway to go to his class.
He pushed the thoughts aside as he approached the entrance to the student section. The noise of the crowd was still thunderous, but as he stepped inside, the chatter among his classmates immediately shifted to him.
"Izuku, that was insane!" Kaminari exclaimed, practically bouncing in his seat. "I thought for sure you were done for when she sent that last attack at you!"
Kirishima clapped a hand on his shoulder. "That was some real manly fighting out there! You didn't just go in swinging—you fought smart."
"That's how a real hero fights," Iida nodded approvingly, adjusting his glasses.
Bakugo, who had been sitting nearby with his arms crossed, scoffed. "Tch. Don't go acting all high and mighty just 'cause you finally managed to win against her."
"Isn't that what you do when you beat someone," asked Izuku with a deadpan look.
Bakugo's eye twitched at Izuku's response, and the others around them stifled chuckles. Kaminari nearly choked on his laughter, while Mina covered her mouth, barely holding back a snicker.
"Alright ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the second match in the second round!" yelled Present Mic getting cheers from the crowd.
Izuku turned away from everyone as everyone else took a seat to get a nice view of the match to come. Izuku sat next to Jiro again and she nodded at him. "Nice match dude.
"Thanks, miss," he said adjusting himself in his seat.
Jiro raised a brow, "Did you just call me miss?" she asked.
"If you didn't hear it then you missed the opportunity," he said chuckling to yourself.
Jiro rolled her eyes, but there was an amused smirk tugging at her lips. "You're such a dork, Izuku."
Izuku chuckled, finally feeling his heart rate return to normal after the intense match. His body still ached, and his muscles were protesting every movement, but the sense of accomplishment dulled the pain.
"This is a fight that will be between people from the same class being class 1-B. We have Ibara Shiozaki who will honorably beat up the competition. Then we have Ichiro Yagi who will blast away everyone who gets in his way!" yelled out Present Mic.
Ichiro and Ibara walked out from their ends and prepared themselves to fight each other. Ichiro looked over to Ibara. He hadn't talked to her much even though it's been a few weeks, but he knew one thing from his own research. She was Izuku's friend. He hated that. They stood across from each other and stared at each other with serious expressions.
Midnight looked to the two students and put her hand down to signal the match. The two looked at each other, waiting for either of them to make the first move.
Ichiro scoffed as he put a hand through his hair. "So… you're one of Deku's friends?" he asked knowing the answer.
Ibara's gaze narrowed as she stared at Ichiro, her posture unwavering. "Yes, I am. Is there a problem with that?" she replied coolly, not the least bit intimidated by his tone. She had dealt with it far worse than this.
"Good…then you deserve this…" he said cocking his fist back activating Impact Level 7. He sent the punch in her direction and a huge wind pressure attack launched her way. She had no time to react as she was flying backward out of bounds, but she didn't stop there. She continued to fly under, she hit the concrete barrier, leaving a crater where she impacted it at. When the dust cleared, Ibara was knocked out and wedged into the wall.
"Winner of the match is Ichiro Yagi!" called Midnight jogging over to Ibara.
The crowd was silent for a moment, the tension in the air palpable as they processed the sheer force of Ichiro's attack. His punch had been a direct hit, and it had sent Ibara flying across the arena with overwhelming power. The impact with the concrete barrier had left a crater, and there was no sign of her moving.
Izuku looked at his friend who was wedged into the wall from his older brother. How could he do that? What was wrong with him? He already knew the answer to that. He looked like he was talking to her before the punch, and he wanted to know what he said. He started to breathe heavily as he gripped the arms of his seat. He was getting pissed. This was the first time in a long time that he was super fucking pissed. He could keep his temper in check, but this was too far. Fuck the flashbacks that he was having from his siblings and Bakugo traumatizing him. He needed to beat Ichiro's head in.
The sound of metal was heard as Izuku had bent the metal of the arm rest, and he had realized what he had done.
Izuku's breath came in sharp, ragged gasps as his fingers flexed against the mangled armrest. He hadn't realized the tension building up in his body until the metal bent beneath his grip, the soft screech of the seat's destruction pulling him back to the present. His heart pounded in his chest, every muscle screaming for action, but his mind fought to control the surge of anger threatening to boil over.
He couldn't stand it. He couldn't stand seeing Ichiro, the brother of his own sister, attacked Ibara like that. The way he'd used his quirk so recklessly, with no regard for the safety of anyone involved, it made Izuku's blood burn. This wasn't a fight. This wasn't about strategy or proving strength—it was about showing off. It was cruel, Izuku thought.
Jiro and Momo were wide-eyed as they looked to their friend being carried off by the stretchers. Ichiro was an asshole, and they knew that but that was a bit much. They went and walked out of the student section immediately to go and see her.
Izuku's chest heaved with each breath, his entire body tense and coiled like a spring. The scene before him—the stretcher, the crater where Ibara had been slammed into the wall—was burned into his mind. It felt like a weight pressing down on his shoulders, and no matter how deep he breathed, it wouldn't ease the pressure.
Shoji's massive hand settled on his shoulder, and despite the comforting gesture, Izuku could feel the weight of his concern. Shoji's expression was serious but calm, his usual quiet nature filled with the subtle understanding that only someone who had witnessed the weight of emotions could convey.
"Hey," Shoji said softly, his voice steady, "You need to control it. You can't let it out here. I know you're pissed. I am too. But getting lost in that anger won't help Ibara or anyone."
"I know," Izuku finally muttered, his voice tight. "I know I can't lose control. But it's hard, Shoji. This isn't just a fight—it's... it's personal."
Shoji nodded, understanding. "I get it. But listen, this is exactly the kind of thing we have to be careful of. Ichiro is using his quirk in a way that doesn't show respect for his opponents. That's dangerous—not just for others, but for him too." He paused, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "People like him think power is everything, but they don't realize that it's about responsibility. He's using his strength without any thought of the consequences. And eventually, it will catch up with him."
Izuku sighed and folded inward. "I know…but when I face him in the next round. He will meet my fist…and he will get what's coming."
Shoji gave a solemn nod as Izuku's words hung in the air. He knew his friend was struggling with his emotions, and while the anger was understandable, Shoji knew that rash decisions made in the heat of the moment could be disastrous. He gave Izuku's shoulder a reassuring squeeze, silently communicating that he was there for him.
"It'll be alright bro. Ibara is strong. She will be ok. I know she will. Just watch the next match before you get ready for Ichiro's," he said, letting go of him.
Izuku nodded silently, the words not quite sinking in, but the quiet support from Shoji giving him a small sense of peace. He wanted to believe Ibara would be okay, he had to. She was strong—he knew that, they all did. But the image of her being slammed into the wall, unconscious, was seared into his mind. It felt like an assault on everything he stood for, and the frustration simmered just beneath the surface.
Shoji, sensing his thoughts, didn't push him further. "I'm serious, though. You need to stay focused for the next round. If you let Ichiro get to you, he wins without even having to fight."
Izuku nodded once more as he patted Shoji's hand, letting him know that he was ok now. "That's Mezo."
He nodded at him and patted his shoulder one more time before moving his hand back. "No problem bro."
Izuku was phasing in and out as he was now in the waiting room for the next match. Reiko vs Tokoyami had been pretty quick as Reiko couldn't use her telekinesis on Dark Shadow and the other rocks and debris she had didn't work on Tokoyami and she was pushed out of the area. He was waiting as it was Kirishima versus Bakugo right now and he had to wait until it was done. He heard a knock on the door to the room and looked up to see Jiro and Momo peaked their heads through.
"How is she?" he asked before either of them could say anything.
Momo sighed, crossing her arms. "Recovery Girl is treating her now. She's stable, but the damage Ichiro did was serious. She's got a concussion and some bruised ribs." Her jaw clenched slightly. "She'll be fine, but she won't be waking up anytime soon."
Izuku exhaled sharply, closing his eyes for a moment. That was both a relief and another shot of frustration. At least she was alive. But this shouldn't have happened in the first place.
Jiro leaned against the wall; her hands tucked into her jacket pockets. "That asshole didn't even look back. He just walked off like it was nothing."
"Because to him, it was," Izuku muttered, his fingers tightening into a fist. "He didn't care about the damage. He only cared about making a point. Don't worry. I got it," he said standing up from his seat as he popped his shoulders.
"You got what?" asked Jiro.
"I got it," he said as he walked over to them.
"Izuku," Momo began carefully, stepping aside as he approached. "I understand your frustration, but you can't let emotions drive you into a mistake."
"I know," he said agreeing with her.
Jiro's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him. "Do you?" she challenged. "Because you're looking a lot like you're about to go out there and tear him apart."
Izuku popped his neck and started to fidget with his hands. "Yeah, I do. This is just a fight between my brother who tortured me when I was younger and went on major power trips. I will be fine," he said reassuring them.
Momo sighed, rubbing her face. "Just be careful."
Izuku nodded at them. "I will," he said hearing the speakers above. "The winner of the second round and final fight is Katsuki Bakugo!" said Present Mic.
"That's my cue," he said looking at them as he opened the door to head to the arena.
"Good luck Izuku!" yelled out the two girls.
"Thank you!" he said back to them.
As Izuku stepped out of the waiting room and into the tunnel leading to the arena, his mind sharpened. Every footstep echoed around him, blending with the roaring of the crowd outside. His heartbeat was steady, but his body threw with tension. This wasn't just another match. This was a confrontation that had been years in the making.
Ichiro was already waiting on the opposite end of the arena, rolling his shoulders lazily as if this were just another spar. His golden eyes flickered with amusement when he saw Izuku approach, his smirk widening.
"HERE WE GO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WE HAVE ANOTHER SIBLING ROUND WITH IT BEING IZUKU YAGI AND ICHRIO YAGI! THIS IS GOING TO BE GOOD!" yelled out Present Mic hyping up the crowd.
Izuku took a few breaths, ignoring some memories of his brother and staring at him.
Ichiro scoffed as he looked over at Izuku. "You ready to lose, Deku," Izuku said nothing as Ichiro continued. "I wonder how Shiozaki is doing right now," he said putting his finger to his lip.
Izuku's fists clenched at Ichiro's words, but he forced himself to exhale slowly. He wasn't going to give his brother the satisfaction of a reaction—not yet.
Toshinori looked at his two sons in the arena and tapped his legs nervously. Inori versus Izuku wasn't nearly as intense. It was getting a bit nerve-racking. He would also have to talk to Ichiro later about how he treated that Ibara girl. It wasn't ok to do that to someone who was another student and possible teammate or colleague in the future.
"Begin!" called out Midnight.
Ichiro lunged forward in the blink of an eye, but Izuku didn't move as he charged Full Cowling to 50%.
"I expected more from you, brother. But you are just as weak as you were when we were younger," Ichiro sneered, his fist crackling with energy. He launched a devastating punch—Impact Level 7 already charged and ready to release—straight into Izuku's face.
The blow connected. A shockwave erupted from the impact, sending dust and debris flying outward. The ground beneath them cracked, and the crowd gasped in unison.
But Izuku didn't move an inch.
Ichiro's smirk faltered. His first was still pressed against Izuku's face, but his younger brother hadn't even flinched. His green eyes, glowing slightly with the power of One for All, locked onto Ichiro's with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine.
"…What?" Ichiro muttered, pulling his fist back slightly in disbelief. You could even hear the audience gasp from what had happened.
Ichiro's smirk twisted into a scowl. Without hesitation, he reeled back and threw another punch—this time aiming for Izuku's jaw. Impact Level 7 again, the sheer force is enough to send most fighters flying.
The hit landed clean. Another shockwave burst outward, sending dust swirling into the air. The ground cracked further beneath them.
But Izuku didn't move.
The crowds' gasps continued. Even Present Mic faltered for a moment.
Ichiro gritted his teeth and stepped back before launching a rapid series of strikes. His fists blurred as they smashed into Izuku's ribs, stomach, and chest, each blow carrying enough force to knock out most of their classmates instantly. Impact Level 5. Then 6. Then another Level 7. The entire arena trembled under the force of the attacks.
And yet, Izuku remained rooted to the spot.
His emerald eyes stayed locked onto Ichiro, unreadable. His expression barely changed.
Ichiro's breath started to quicken. His hands throbbed from the force of his own attacks. He leapt back, shaking them out. "What the hell?" he muttered under his breath.
Izuku slowly tilted his head. "That's it?" he asked, his voice calm, almost disappointed.
"Shut up!" he yelled cocking his fist back once more. "Fuck it! He is pissing me off! I don't give a damn about my arm anymore. I will hit him with Level 7 at full force even if it hurts me!" he thought as he channeled everything he had.
Ichiro roared in frustration, his green eyes burning with fury. He clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking under the strain as he poured every ounce of his strength into his next attack.
Energy crackled around his arm like a violent storm as he lunged forward, swinging with everything he had. The sheer force of his punch sent out shockwaves before it even connected, the air splitting with a deafening boom. The ground beneath his feet shattered, debris flying outward from the sheer pressure of his strike.
The punch landed squarely against Izuku's cheek.
The stadium went silent for a fraction of a second before the explosion of impact rippled outward. A shockwave erupted, shaking the entire arena. Cracks webbed across the stone floor like spider silk. Dust and debris shot into the air, blinding everyone in the immediate vicinity.
And yet.
When the dust settled.
Izuku still hadn't moved.
His head hadn't even turned from the impact.
His emerald eyes bore into Ichiro's, unwavering, filled with nothing but quiet resolve.
Ichiro stumbled back, eyes wide with disbelief, his breathing heavy. His right arm twitched violently, pain shooting up to his shoulder as it was still connected to his face. He gritted his teeth, trying to ignore the numbness settling in.
Ichiro's mind was racing. His punch had been his strongest yet, powered by every ounce of his strength, his anger, his frustration, everything he had. The sheer might of it should have sent Izuku flying, crumpling to the ground in defeat. But there Izuku stood, unflinching, unaffected by the overwhelming force that had shaken the entire arena. It was as if his body had turned into stone, immovable and resolute.
"Beings no one can hear us, I will say this," said Izuku calmly grabbing his fist from his face. "Years. You have tormented me for years. Everyday damn day since we had our tests to see what our quirks at 4 years old, have been a damn struggle because of you and Inori treating me like I'm so damn weak and pathetic," he said calmly. Ichiro tried to grab his hand away from him but there was no breaking his grip.
"I would love to beat the hell out of you for all you had done to me. Every. Last. Thing. But…I'm a nice person. Even after everything you, Inori, Bakugo, and all those bullies have done to me. I still don't want to. Though the difference between you and Inori is that she is making an effort to say that she fucked up a sister and I can respect that. I am closer to forgiving her than you. But…I think one big punch is good enough for you and nothing more," Izuku said glaring at him with daggers.
Ichiro continued to pull his arm, but nothing happened. "Let go of me Deku," he said pleadingly.
Izuku got into his face, making Ichiro flinch back. "You know why you get one big punch? Even after all you have done to me," he asked Ichiro who shook his head no.
"Because. You. Aren't. Worth. It," he said, punching him at a speed no one saw but a few of the top heroes in the audience.
Ichiro barely had time to process the words before the world around him exploded in pain. He was sent flying backward and he didn't have to react to himself slamming into the wall.
Ichiro's body slammed against the stone wall with a deafening crash, the force of the impact cracking the arena's walls and sending a shockwave through the stands. The entire stadium fell into stunned silence, as the dust slowly began to settle. For a moment, it felt as though time itself had frozen. The audience, which had been filled with anticipation, now found themselves breathless, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
Ichiro lay crumpled against the wall, his body twitching from the overwhelming force of the punch. His eyes were wide, his chest heaving with shallow breaths. His limbs felt like they were made of lead, and he couldn't quite register what had just happened. He hadn't expected this—no one had.
"The winner of the match is Izuku Yagi!" called out Midnight making the audience go wild. Ichiro forced himself out of the wall with a grunt as he landed on the ground with a thud. He stood up, struggling and glared at his brother. Izuku was shocked that he wasn't knocked out but then again, he dropped his 50% Full Cowling to about 30% so he wouldn't hurt him too much. He didn't like his brother, but he wasn't going to pulverize him…as much as he'd like to.
"I…am… going to beat…you. I am not done, damn it!" yelled out Ichiro as he charged at Izuku but was stopped as Midnight stepped forward, her voice firm and commanding. "That's enough, Ichiro!" she called out, her tone carrying the weight of authority. "You've had your chance. The fight is over."
Ichiro's face twisted with rage, his breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. His hands were trembling from the exertion, but the fire in his eyes still burned bright. He looked like a cornered animal, desperate and unwilling to accept defeat. "I'm not finished!" he shouted again, his fists clenching and unclenching as he struggled to contain his fury.
"I said you are done," she said cutting her clothing as she activated her quirk, Somnambulist. The fragrance hit Ichiro's nose that made him slowly fall asleep.
"Sleep, Ichiro," Midnight's voice was soft but firm, the authority behind her words undeniable. The tranquilizing effect of her quirk settled deeper into his senses, and his struggles became more and more futile. His body finally gave in, and he collapsed to the ground with a dull thud, unconscious.
The arena was eerily quiet now, the tension of the moment still hanging in the air. The crowd, initially in shock from Izuku's devastating punch, now found themselves stunned at the sudden turn of events. The fact that Ichiro, once so full of rage, was now out cold, left a silence so profound it almost felt unnatural.
Izuku turned to walk away from his now asleep brother with a serious look on his face. "That was for Ibara. Asshole."
He made his way into the hallway to walk to the next room. There was one match between now and the championship round. It would be nice to fight Tokoyami and not Bakugo, but you never know. Wait. He just realized. He was in the championship round. Oh shit. He never thought he would make it this far, not that he didn't have confidence in himself, but it was just crazy.
It was a shame that he couldn't go back to the student section to see his friends because of how close the match was, and he needed to be ready for anything. He opened the door to the waiting room and plopped himself down in one of the chairs.
He really had fought Inori and Ichiro and won. It made him feel good. After all these years. He wasn't weak anymore. He wouldn't be weak anymore. He wouldn't be treated like he was useless. He finally had showed his strength to his family but to damn near most of Japan. He smiled at his accomplishment. Soon it would be his turn to show Bakugo how much he had changed. It was like he was going down the list.
It took about 7 minutes before he heard Present Mic's voice on the speakers. "Katsuki Bakugo is the winner of the second match in the semi-finals. Now we will take a few minutes break before we have our final match!"
The door to the waiting room opened, and Inori walked in, her eyes scanning the room. As soon as she saw Izuku, her expression softened. "Izuku," she said, her voice almost hesitant, "You did it. I saw the fight. You were amazing."
Izuku smiled faintly, but there was no warmth in it. He didn't want to deal with Inori right now, not after what had happened. Not after everything she had done. The way she had treated him, the way she had sided with Ichiro for years, it still stung. She had always been his sister, but she had also been a part of the problem. Part of the reason he had felt like he couldn't live up to expectations.
"I know, Inori," he said, his voice flat. "But I'm not really in the mood for praise right now."
Inori's brow furrowed, and she took a step closer, a soft sigh escaping her lips. "Izuku, please. I know we've had differences. But I—"
"No," Izuku interrupted, standing up suddenly. "I don't want to hear it. Not now, not after everything. Maybe when this is all over, we can talk. But not now."
"Yeah, I know. See ya later and good luck," she said quietly as she left the room. Izuku put his hands to his face and sighed.
"Damn it. Why can't anything be easy," Izuku muttered under his breath, clenching his fists in frustration. He wanted to be rid of all of this, to just focus on the championship and the future, but there were too many lingering thoughts. Too many unfinished chapters from his past that he wasn't sure how to close.
"Alright. I should go to the arena. Time to fight Bakugo," he said getting up and walking to the door. He opened the door and started to walk down the hall and took a few deep breaths.
"Time for the final round. They are both from Class 1-A. Two of the best in the class. Two fierce competitors. Give it up for the two finalists of the championship round. IZUKU YAGI AND KATSUKI BAKUGO!" yelled Present Mic getting the loudest cheers from the crowd all day.
Izuku took a deep breath as he stepped into the center of the arena, his heart pounding in his chest. He knew this fight was going to be different. This was the moment he had been working toward for years; the moment he could show everyone—especially Bakugo—that he wasn't the same weak kid he had been. He could feel the weight of the audience's expectations on him, the weight of his own self-doubt trying to creep in. But he pushed it all aside. It was just him and Bakugo now.
Present Mic's voice boomed over the loudspeakers. "Both finalists are ready! The final match of the Sports Festival begins now!"
Bakugo looked over at Izuku and smirked. "Don't hold back on me. I don't need your pity."
Izuku looked over at Bakugo and shook his head. "I'll fight you how I want."
"Tch. Damn smartass," he said getting into his stance once more and looked over to Midnight who had her hand in the air.
"May the Final Round! Begin!" she said stepping back. Bakugo charged forward with his explosions propelling him.
"Eat this, Deku!" he said as a barrage of Explosions was sent his way. Izuku activated Jolt and dodged them with ease.
Bakugo growled in frustration, his eyes burning with determination. He didn't give Izuku a chance to breathe, launching another round of explosions from his palms. This time, Izuku could feel the force building, and he knew that if he didn't act fast, he wouldn't be able to keep dodging forever.
Bakugo growled at him as he sent a chain of explosions at him. "God damn it! You are holding back against me! Fight me with the power you fought against Ichiro with!"
Izuku clenched his fists, steadying himself.
"Fine then," he said charging Full Cowling to 50% and Jolt. He threw a punch into Bakugo's direction, sending a giant wind pressure attack laced with electricity. Bakugo didn't have enough time to move away and was caught in the attack.
The blast of wind and electricity surged through the arena, the shockwave rattling the stands. The crowd gasped as Bakugo was caught off guard by the full force of Izuku's strike, the powerful gust sending him stumbling backward. His body was jolted by the electric current that crackled through the air, but he gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand tall, rage and determination burning in his eyes.
"Holy shit! I got lucky that time," said Bakugo as he charged forward once more. Izuku charged up some electricity into his arms and shot them at Bakugo with surprising speed.
"Dual Thunderbolt!" said Izuku as green lightning bolts shot from his arms, crackling through the air like twin spears of electricity. The blasts were fast, sharp, and precise, aimed directly at Bakugo. He barely had time to react as the bolts hit him, sending him skidding across the arena floor.
Bakugo let out a strangled roar, his body seizing up from the electricity's current. His muscles twitched uncontrollably, but he gritted his teeth, focusing all his energy into breaking free from the shock. With an explosion that rattled the ground beneath them, Bakugo pushed himself up, his body enveloped in a burst of fiery power.
"You son of a bitch! Eat thi…AH!" was all he said when Izuku sent a kick to his chest, sending him upward into the air. Izuku jumped into the air ahead of Bakugo as his momentum was too much to stop himself.
Izuku cocked his leg back as he prepared to strike him. "I am not the same kid you made fun of Bakugo. You need to learn that. You and Ichiro do," he said hitting him with a powerful axe kick.
The force of Izuku's axe kick connected with Bakugo's chest, sending him flying upward through the air like a ragdoll. The arena fell into stunned silence for a moment as everyone watched, eyes wide in disbelief at the sheer power Izuku had displayed. Bakugo struggled to regain his bearings, but the momentum was too much. His body twisted through the air uncontrollably as he sailed past Izuku, his back slamming into the ground several meters away, skidding to a halt just outside the arena's boundary line.
A collective gasp swept through the crowd as they watched Bakugo's body come to a stop just beyond the limits of the ring, outside the marked boundary. The announcer's voice echoed through the stadium, almost as stunned as the rest of the spectators.
"Uh… It looks like… Bakugo is out of bounds! The match is over! The winner of the tournament is Izuku Yagi!" exclaimed Midnight.
Izuku stood at the center of the arena, breathing heavily, his heart pounding in his chest. His body was screaming from the strain, but there was a sense of accomplishment and finality in his chest. He had done it. He had won the final round against Bakugo.
The crowd's cheers erupted, deafening, but Izuku couldn't hear most of it. His focus was on Bakugo, who was slowly pushing himself up from the ground, clearly struggling, but with a look of intense rage and disbelief on his face. The sheer shock of being knocked out of bounds, like that, seemed to stun him momentarily.
Izuku didn't take his eyes off Bakugo, even as the cheers grew louder around him. The fight wasn't over for Bakugo yet. He knew Bakugo would rise to the challenge again. This wasn't the end of their rivalry—it was just another step in their long, complicated history.
"Damn you, Deku…" Bakugo muttered, gritting his teeth as he steadied himself, his hands still sparking with the last remnants of his explosive power. His voice, strained and furious, cut through the air, "You're gonna regret that, you bastard…"
Izuku sighed as he looked over to him. "Even after everything you've done to me…Katsuki. You aren't a villain. You are just…to proud for your own good.
Bakugo's eyes flared with fury, but there was something else in his gaze—something that wasn't anger. It was a glimmer of confusion, of frustration, as if he didn't know what to do with Izuku's words.
"What the hell are you talking about, Deku?!" Bakugo shouted, his voice hoarse and cracking. His hands were still sparking with explosive energy, but the intensity had dimmed just a little. He was still angry, but there was a vulnerability in his stance that he hadn't been there before. "You think you've figured me out?! You think you can just—"
"Stop…" Izuku said putting a hand up. "You know I am right. I am telling you now…whenever you fight…you fight against yourself as well as the opponent you're facing. Just think about it. You have the chance to be a great hero…even after what you did to me when we were kids…I don't even know why I'm helping you at all."
Izuku turned around to walk, his footsteps heavy with exhaustion but steady. He didn't look back at Bakugo, knowing the words had already been said. Bakugo just stayed there quietly thinking to himself. Bakugo stood still in the center of the arena, the deafening noise of the crowd fading into the background as his mind raced. His hands were still sparking with the remnants of his explosive power, but the familiar surge of anger that usually propelled him forward felt distant now.
Soon every one of the first years was waiting patiently for the medals to be shown after the tournament. Midnight stood and presented herself in front of everyone and smirked.
"Now it is time for the awards to be paced out," she said gesturing behind herself to a platform that emerged from the ground. It showed the first, second, and third place winners.
"The person presenting these awards are someone very special."
"HAHAAHAH!" said All Might standing on the top of the stadium. All Might landed with a powerful thud, causing the ground to shake slightly as his iconic smile lit up the entire stadium. The crowd erupted into cheers, thrilled by his presence.
"Now then, start with third place and make your way up," said Midnight, presenting him with two third place medals. All Might grabbed the medals and walked over to Tokoyami and Ichiro.
"Young Tokoyami great job," he said placing the medal around his head and hugging him. "Though you must learn to not use techniques that rely solely on your quirk. Continue the great work and you will make a fine hero," he said letting go of the hug.
"Yes sir," he said calmly as he looked at the 3rd place medal.
All Might turned to Ichiro, who stood with a grin of pride on his face. "Young Ichiro, you showed incredible resilience in your battles," he said, placing the third-place medal around Ichiro's neck. "You've got heart, and that's what every great hero needs. Keep refining your skills, and you'll go far," he said, hugging him. Ichiro nodded, his chest puffing up slightly with pride hugging back the number one hero. He then was shocked when he whispered in his ear. "We need to talk after all of this."Ichiro nodded and All Might stepped back and grabbed the second-place medal.
All Might's gaze shifted to the second-place medal, his smile not wavering as he called Bakugo forward. The crowd's cheer quieted slightly, but there was still an underlying current of anticipation. Bakugo stood stiffly, still brimming with tension, his eyes narrowed as if daring anyone to challenge him. He took a few slow steps forward, his fists clenched at his sides, still simmering with frustration.
"Young Bakugo," All Might said, his voice filled with a rare, serious tone, "You've got a fire inside you that burns brighter than any other. But fire needs control, or it will consume you. You're a force to be reckoned with, but to be a true hero, you need to remember that power is nothing without discipline."
Bakugo didn't do anything. He just simply nodded at the number one hero who had hugged him. It was rare when he was quiet, but he was deep in thought about something.
After a long pause, Bakugo finally glanced up, his gaze still intense but tempered with something more. He looked directly at All Might, who was still smiling, proud and patient. Bakugo gritted his teeth, still holding onto that spark of defiance, but his words were quieter than usual. "I'll remember that," he muttered, his voice hoarse, almost reluctant.
All Might gave him a firm, approving nod. "I know you will, Young Bakugo. You've got the potential to be a great hero. Don't let your pride blind you to that."
The final award ceremony continued as All Might turned toward Izuku, the bright smile returning to his face. "And now," he said, his voice brimming with pride and joy, "The winner of the tournament," he said placing the 1st place medal around his neck. All Might hugged Izuku and he froze for a moment. Izuku didn't know what to do but he reluctantly patted his shoulder.
"You did good my boy. Great job on everything. Proud of you. Your mother is proud of you too," he said letting go of the hug.
"Thanks…Dad…" he said quietly with All Might nodding. All turned around to show them to the world.
"There you have it everyone! Our winners!" he said, getting cheers from everyone.
The applause that erupted from the crowd was deafening, the sound of thousands of students and spectators roaring with excitement. Izuku's heart pounded in his chest as the weight of his victory began to sink in. The cheers weren't just for him—he realized that now. They were for everyone who had put in the effort, who had struggled, who had faced their challenges and fears. The competition had been fierce, but the bonds that had been forged through the trials were what truly mattered. And Izuku knew that this was just the beginning.
"But remember. Anyone could have one today! They are all here because of the hard work and effort they all put in. Continue to improve and continue to excel! You are all the future next generation of heroes! And I think our future is bright!"
All Might's voice rang out across the stadium, his words filled with genuine pride. His hand was raised high, holding the microphone, and the crowd hung on his every word. Izuku felt the weight of his words settle in his heart as he stood next to him, his own medal still warm around his neck. It was the culmination of everything he had worked for, but it wasn't just about him—it was about all of them, every single person who had fought, struggled, and pushed themselves in the tournament. Each of them had earned their place here, and Izuku could feel the weight of that truth.
"Don't ever forget," All Might continued, his voice booming with the energy of his conviction. "It's not just about the power you have. It's about how you use it, how you grow from your challenges, and how you inspire others with your actions. Each one of you is a hero in your own right, and your journey is only just beginning."
The applause that followed was thunderous, almost overwhelming in its intensity.
Izuku made his way down the stairs from the podium, still processing the overwhelming cheers that echoed around the stadium. His heart was racing, but a sense of calm settled over him as he stepped back toward his class. His classmates were waiting for him with excited smiles and proud expressions, eager to congratulate him on his hard-earned victory.
"Great job, Izuku-bro!" Kirishima shouted; his voice filled with enthusiasm as he stepped forward. His usual grin was even wider than normal. "You were amazing out there! You really brought it in the final!"
Izuku's cheeks flushed, and he scratched the back of his head, trying to humble himself. "Thanks, Kirishima… I just did my best."
Sero was next, slapping him on the back with a friendly grin. "You were awesome, man! You really showed us all what you're made of. You've got this hero thing down!"
"Totally!" Mina added with a cheerful cheer, jumping up to give him a high-five. "You've got the heart of a real hero, Izuku! I've never seen someone give so much in a match. You were so intense, but you kept it together. That's what makes you a winner!"
"Yeah," Todoroki's voice came from behind, his usual calm tone a bit warmer. He nodded toward Izuku with a rare smile. "You kept your focus the whole time. That's not something everyone can do under that kind of pressure. I'm impressed."
Izuku smiled, his heart swelling with pride, but his humility kicked in. "Thanks, Todoroki. I couldn't have done it without all of you guys pushing me to get better."
Mineta, who had been quiet up until now, cleared his throat and sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Uh… yeah, man. You totally crushed it! Seriously, I thought you were going to faint from the excitement after that last round, but you kept it together. That's some serious willpower."
Izuku chuckled softly, a bit embarrassed by Mineta's comment but grateful for his words. "Thanks, everyone. I still can't believe I actually won."
"Don't downplay it!" Kaminari said with a wide grin. "You earned it! And honestly, I didn't think you had it in you to pull off that last move, but you surprised me, man. You really do have the spirit of a true hero."
"Thank you everyone," he said bowing to them. "I just am happy," he said smiling a megawatt smile. He received a few more hugs, fist bumps, and high fives a little bit after. He soaked in as much as he could, and he couldn't be happier than in this moment. This was the first time in a long time that he was super excited and happy with what he had done. He couldn't wait for what came next on his list of being a pro hero.