Chapter 26: The Ten Million Point Fortress.
The cheering of the crowd was a deafening physical force, vibrating against the ribcages of the forty-two students standing in the center of the stadium. But for Bartholomew Kuma, the world had gone strangely quiet.
He stood tall in his navy blue U.A. P.E. uniform, the standard-issue tracksuit stretching tightly across his broad chest and shoulders. He had removed his heavy boots and trench coat in accordance with the rules, leaving him feeling strangely exposed, yet lighter.
Midnight stood on the referee stage, her whip cracking through the air to command attention.
"The first game was just a warm-up!" Midnight announced, her voice echoing through the massive speakers. "Now, the real competition begins. The top 42 students from the Qualifier will advance to the main event!"
She pointed to the massive screen behind her.
"The second game is... THE CAVALRY BATTLE!"
The screen displayed the mechanics: Students would form teams of two to four people. One person would be the 'Rider,' and the others would be the 'Horses.'
"The rules are simple!" Midnight explained, gesturing to the holographic display. "Each of you has been assigned a point value based on your ranking in the obstacle race. The lower your rank, the fewer points you are worth."
The numbers flashed on the screen.
42nd place: 5 points.
41st place: 10 points.
And so on.
"But!" Midnight's voice dropped an octave, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "There is a twist. The higher the rank, the higher the bounty. And for the student who placed First..."
The screen shifted. Next to the name BARTHOLOMEW KUMA, a number appeared in bold, red, jagged font.
10,000,000 POINTS.
The silence that fell over the arena was heavier than gravity.
"Ten... million?" Midoriya squeaked, his face losing all color.
"That's right!" Midnight laughed. "It's survival of the fittest! The person at the top carries the weight of the world! It's a game where the bottom can overthrow the top in a single moment!"
Kuma stood perfectly still. He could feel it. The shift in the air.
A moment ago, he was a respected classmate. Now, he was prey.
Forty-one pairs of eyes turned toward him. Some were calculating (Todoroki), some were hungry (Bakugo), and some were desperate (everyone else). The malice was palpable.
Kuma instinctively reached for the pocket where he usually kept his "Bible/Atlas," seeking the comfort of the familiar texture. But his hand grasped only the fabric of his track pants. The book was in the locker room. He was unarmed.
He brought his hands together, interlocking his fingers. He pressed down until his knuckles cracked—a sharp, dry sound in the quiet circle.
When you are at the top in a competitive game, Kuma thought, his eyes scanning the predators surrounding him, there are no friends... only rivals.
The Negotiation Phase
"You have fifteen minutes to build your teams!" Midnight shouted. "Start!"
Chaos erupted instantly.
"Bakugo! Team up with me!"
"Todoroki-san, please!"
Kuma remained standing in his spot. A magical circle of isolation had formed around him. No one approached. To team up with him was to paint a target on one's back. To team up with him was to invite the wrath of every other student in the festival.
"It seems I am... popular in the wrong way," Kuma murmured to himself.
"Kuma-kun."
A timid voice broke his isolation.
Kuma looked down. Midoriya Izuku was standing there. The green-haired boy looked terrified, shaking like a leaf, but his eyes were determined.
"No one else will join me," Midoriya admitted with a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "I was 4th, so I have a lot of points, but everyone is scared of getting caught in the crossfire. And... well, you're the 10 million. If we team up, it's basically suicide, but..."
Kuma looked at Midoriya. Then, he looked past him.
"Uraraka-san?" Kuma called out.
Uraraka Ochaco popped out from behind Midoriya, giving a thumbs up. "I'm with you guys! It's better to team up with friends than strangers, right? Plus, Kuma-kun helped me train!"
"That makes three," Kuma nodded. "We need one more. A strong defense to cover our blind spots."
His eyes scanned the crowd. He saw a student with a bird-like head standing alone, his arms crossed, radiating a dark aura.
"Tokoyami Fumikage," Kuma said, walking over, his two teammates trailing behind him.
Tokoyami looked up. "The Ten Million Man. You seek my assistance?"
"Your Dark Shadow is the most versatile defense in the class," Kuma stated plainly. "We will be attacked from all sides. I need a sentry who can strike and defend simultaneously. In the shadow of the ten million... your darkness will thrive."
Tokoyami's eyes narrowed, then he smirked. "A poetic pitch. Very well. I accept the madness."
The Formation
"Great!" Uraraka cheered. "So, how do we do this? Kuma-kun is huge, so maybe he should be the rider? He can repel anyone who comes close!"
"No," Kuma said immediately.
The three looked at him.
"I will be the Front Horse," Kuma declared.
"EHHH?!" Midoriya and Uraraka shouted.
"B-But Kuma-kun!" Midoriya stammered, waving his hands. "You're the target! If you're the horse, you'll be using your hands to carry the rider! How will you defend? And... wait, that means..."
Midoriya pointed a trembling finger at himself.
"You want me to be the rider? Me? Wearing the ten million headband?"
"Yes," Kuma said calmly.
"Is... is that really okay?" Midoriya asked, his voice cracking. "I mean, you earned those points. You won the race. I'm just... I'm just Deku."
Kuma looked at Midoriya. He then looked at his own massive frame, then back at Midoriya's relatively small stature.
"Midoriya," Kuma asked, his voice deadpan. "Can your back carry me?"
Midoriya looked at Kuma—all 220cm and 130kg of muscle. He imagined Kuma sitting on his shoulders. He imagined his spine snapping like a twig.
"No," Midoriya whispered, horrified by the mental image. "I don't think so."
"Then agree silently," Kuma said.
Midoriya clamped his mouth shut. The logic was undeniable. Physics was absolute.
The Strategy
They spent the remaining minutes solidifying their formation.
Front Horse: Bartholomew Kuma. (The Tank/Shield).
Left Wing: Uraraka Ochaco. (Mobility/Weight Reduction).
Right Wing: Tokoyami Fumikage. (Defense/Offense).
Rider: Midoriya Izuku. (Observation/Command).
"Here is the plan," Kuma explained, his voice low so other teams wouldn't hear. "Uraraka-san, you will use your Quirk on me, Tokoyami, and yourself. This will make the entire 'horse' weightless."
"Got it!" Uraraka nodded. "That way, even though you're heavy, we can maneuver easily!"
"Tokoyami," Kuma continued. "You will guard the rear and the sides. Do not let anyone touch the rider."
"Dark Shadow is ready," Tokoyami confirmed. The shadow monster emerged, flexing its claws. "Bring it on!"
"And Midoriya," Kuma looked up at the boy who would be sitting on his shoulders. "Your job is to run away. Or rather... to direct our retreat. We do not need to attack. We possess the castle. We simply need to keep the gates closed for fifteen minutes."
Midoriya tied the headband around his forehead. The number 10,000,000 blazed in gold and red. His hands were shaking, but he slapped his cheeks with both hands. Smack!
"Okay," Midoriya breathed out, his eyes sharpening. "Let's do this."
The Countdown
"TIME IS UP!" Midnight shouted. "TEAMS, TAKE YOUR POSITIONS!"
The students gathered in the center of the field.
Team Todoroki stood to the north. Todoroki, Iida, Yaoyorozu, Kaminari. A team built for speed and elemental dominance. Their eyes were locked on Midoriya's forehead.
Team Bakugo stood to the west. Bakugo, Kirishima, Sero, Ashido. A team of pure aggression. Bakugo was grinning like a feral animal.
And in the center, Team Kuma/Midoriya formed up.
Kuma crouched down, his broad back serving as the foundation. Uraraka and Tokoyami took their positions on his sides, linking arms with him to create a stable platform.
Midoriya climbed up, placing his feet on Kuma's massive thighs and his hands on Kuma's shoulders.
"Whoa," Midoriya whispered. "It's... high up here."
From this vantage point, sitting atop the tyrant of the first round, Midoriya could see everything. But he could also feel the killing intent directed straight at him.
Kuma felt Midoriya's legs trembling against his chest.
"Steady, Rider," Kuma rumbled, the vibration of his deep voice calming Midoriya slightly. "I am the wall. You just keep your eyes on the horizon."
Midnight raised her hand high into the air. The crowd held its breath. The silence stretched, thin and brittle, ready to snap.
"THREE!"
Kuma dug his bare feet (allowed within the uniform rules for his quirk) into the dirt.
"TWO!"
Tokoyami summoned Dark Shadow.
"ONE!"
Uraraka activated her Zero Gravity on the team. They felt light as feathers.
Midnight's whip cracked through the air.
"START!"
.
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