Chapter 123: Second RoundAuthor: Geraint
The second round of the Battle Tournament began, and the first match of the round was between Izuku Midoriya and Shoto Todoroki. Both were fierce competitors, and the tension in the arena was palpable.
As the match started, Izuku immediately began to strategize, trying to find a way to handle Shoto's Half-Cold Half-Hot Quirk. Shoto unleashed pillars of ice, hoping to trap Izuku, but Izuku quickly responded by using One For All on her middle finger, flicking it with precision and creating a shockwave that shattered the ice.
Izuku followed up with another strike, using her index finger to unleash a blast of wind pressure that hit Shoto, but Shoto created an ice wall behind him to stop himself from being knocked out of the ring.
With both fighters at a standstill, Shoto attempted another ice attack, using the ground to freeze it beneath Izuku's feet. However, Izuku, unfazed, used a wind blast to free herself and knock Shoto back. Despite being injured, Izuku pressed on, and Shoto started to realize that Izuku wasn't fighting at full strength.
"I can't even injure you with half my power," Shoto admitted, his frustration growing.
Izuku, her right hand broken but still determined, clenched her fist. "Fight me with everything you've got, Shoto!" she yelled, the fire in her eyes burning with the same intensity as her mentor's.
Shoto paused, confused by her challenge. "Aren't you a girl?"
Izuku froze. She had forgotten her gender for a moment, too caught up in the heat of the battle. On the sideline, Ichika facepalmed while Himiko sipped blood from his shoulder.
"Deku-chan..." Himiko mused, watching the battle unfold.
Shoto, frustrated by his opponent's unyielding spirit, charged toward Izuku, but the effects of his overuse of his ice powers were becoming clear. He started to experience frostbite, slowing his movements and leaving him vulnerable. Izuku seized the opportunity, landing a powerful punch that knocked Shoto to the ground.
But Shoto wasn't done yet. He managed to get up and launch another wave of ice at Izuku. This time, however, the attack was weaker. Izuku easily destroyed the ice, knocking Shoto back again.
Izuku then confronted Shoto about his motivation, challenging him to fight for himself, not for his father. "Becoming number one just to spite your father—it's a joke," she said, her words hitting Shoto hard.
As Shoto recalled the years of abuse he suffered under his father, his mind was flooded with painful memories—his father's relentless training, his mother's breakdown, and the emotional scars left by his family. But Izuku's words rang in his ears, forcing him to confront the truth about his past.
As Shoto stood in the ring, his body shaking from the effects of his Quirk, Izuku told him that his fire power "belongs to him and only him." The words cut through Shoto, and he finally remembered the comforting words his mother had once said to him: You're not a slave to your bloodline. You can be whatever you want to be.
Moved by Izuku's words and his mother's encouragement, Shoto made a decision. He activated his fire power, setting the left side of his body ablaze. The flames surged, and for the first time, Shoto fought on his own terms, no longer controlled by his father.
On the sideline, Endeavor watched with a wicked smile, finally seeing his son embrace his fire power. He walked down from the bleachers to get a closer view of the match, telling Shoto to surpass him and realize his ambition.
Shoto and Izuku powered up for their final attacks. Shoto launched a massive wave of ice at Izuku, while Izuku used One For All to leap into the air and launch a powerful wind pressure blast at Shoto.
Before the attacks could collide, Cementoss created a cement wall to separate them. However, both Izuku and Shoto pushed through, their attacks continuing unabated. Shoto ignited his ice wave with his fire power, creating a massive wind blast, and Izuku responded with her own blast of wind pressure.
The resulting shockwave obliterated Cementoss' wall and shook the entire arena. The force of the collision sent both fighters flying back, and when the dust settled, Shoto was standing in the ring, his shirt torn and his body unscathed. Izuku, however, had been blasted out of bounds and collapsed from her injuries.
Shoto was declared the winner, and Izuku was eliminated from the tournament.
"Sorry, Himiko," Ichika said quietly, "But I have to bring my friend to the clinic."
Ichika immediately teleported to Izuku's side, his powers quickly whisking her away to Recovery Girl's office. Inside, Recovery Girl was already scolding All Might for pushing Izuku beyond her limits.
Izuku, weak from her wounds, apologized profusely, her voice breaking with emotion. "I'm so sorry, All Might... Ichika-kun... I just wanted to help Shoto... after seeing how sad he was."
All Might reassured her, saying, "Izuku, your match was simply an unfortunate outcome. You helped Shoto more than you realize. Helping others with their personal problems is what makes a true hero. You did well, and you just need more control over your power."
Ichika, who had quietly stepped out of the room, watched from the hallway. Izuku's journey was far from over, and he knew that she would rise stronger from this experience.
Meanwhile, back at the stadium, the second match of the second round was ready to begin. The battle was between Yagi Roboco and Tenya Ida.
The match started with Roboco unleashing a powerful blast from the repulsor in her palm, but Tenya dodged it by jumping into the air. He activated Recipro Burst, greatly enhancing his speed, and launched a high-speed kick at Roboco.
But Roboco was faster. She disappeared in front of Tenya, and his kick missed completely. He searched for her in a panic, only to find her running right beside him.
Hello-bo, Roboco teased, blasting Tenya out of the ring with another powerful strike.
BOOOM!!
"Arrrgh!" Tenya shouted as he was launched into the air, but he wasn't seriously injured. However, he felt defeated by his loss.
Roboco was declared the winner, advancing to the semi-finals.
(To be continued.)
(A/N: I'll fix my mistakes later.)