Chapter 21
"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader."
– John Quincy Adams
The door to Class 101-A's suite swung open with a loud bang as an unexpected guest barged in. "Izuku! Are you… oh, you're not here."
Startled by the intrusion, the class turned to see Hatsume standing in the doorway, still adorned in her distinctive armor and support gear.
"Hatsume-san?" Uraraka said, her voice tinged with confusion.
"Hey there, uh... Space Girl! Where's Izuku at?" Hatsume inquired with her usual energetic flair.
Iida felt the need to correct the situation. "He's already left for his upcoming match. If you're lost, the Support Department section is in the other direction."
"He left? Ah, shoot! I came all this way to wish him luck too!" Hatsume looked momentarily disappointed but quickly found an empty seat to sit in, conveniently next to Yaoyorozu and Uraraka.
Hatsume's presence prompted questions from Yaoyorozu, who sought clarity. "Hatsume-san, may I ask why you are here?"
Uraraka echoed the sentiment, her tone carrying a note of mild annoyance. "I don't think someone from another department is supposed to be in here."
Hatsume brushed off their concerns with a cheerful demeanor. "Oh, don't worry about it! Izuku should return here after his match. So, I thought it'd be best to stay and cheer him on from this suite. That way, I can offer him encouragement if he loses and celebrate with him if he wins!"
The casual use of Midoriya's first name didn't go unnoticed, and it left both Yaoyorozu and Uraraka bristling. There was a clear sense of familiarity between Hatsume and Midoriya, one that had developed faster than they had expected.
"Hmm..." Ashido leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. "It seems like you're quite close to Midoriya. Are you friends?"
Hatsume seemed genuinely baffled by the question. "Well, yeah! He's a great friend!"
Uraraka's reaction was more subtle but telling. She felt a pang of unease. 'They're getting along so well... It took me and Izuku several months before we were this comfortable with each other.'
Ashido wasn't one to back down from a potentially juicy development. "So, just friends? No romantic feelings or anything?"
Hatsume tilted her head, completely oblivious to the implications. "I don't know about all that, but hanging out with Izuku is fun. He's full of great ideas! Can you imagine all the amazing babies we can create together?"
Mineta couldn't contain himself and did a spit take, falling out of his seat. The class turned to Hatsume with dumbfounded shock, and even Todoroki glanced back in curiosity.
"Inventions!" Uraraka quickly interjected. "She's talking about her gadgets and inventions. Don't misunderstand!"
As Uraraka attempted to control the situation, Yaoyorozu couldn't help but analyze Hatsume's response. It seemed that Hatsume didn't view Midoriya in a romantic light, which brought a sense of relief to her.
Hatsume remained blissfully unaware of the tension in the room, while the class exchanged glances. The eccentric inventor had provided some interesting insights into her relationship with Midoriya, even if those insights weren't what everyone had expected.
Hatsume, completely oblivious to the curious looks she was getting, turned to Uraraka. "Hey, Space Girl, do you have Izuku's number? Or know if he's on any DM apps?"
The group exchanged glances, recognizing Hatsume's social awkwardness but also acknowledging her friendly intentions. After a brief pause, they silently agreed to help her out.
Ashido swiftly pulled out her phone. "I'll help you get in touch!"
"Oh, you have your own chat? That's cool!" Hatsume remarked with genuine interest.
Iida couldn't help but smile. "Our group is becoming quite the team."
Asui added her own touch of humor. "More like a squad at this point. Kero."
Iida, ever analytical, pondered the group's dynamics. "I wonder if we're just right or perhaps a bit too much to be considered a squad. I'll have to ask Midoriya-kun about it when he returns."
Kaminari chimed in with a smirk. "With three geniuses on our side—Yaoyorozu, Midoriya, and now Hatsume—it's going to be quite the ride."
Jiro nodded in agreement. "Brainpower won't be in short supply, that's for sure."
Sero joined in with a playful comment. "We might just have enough talented players to take over a country!"
Present Mic's voice over the loudspeakers interrupted their conversation. "I hope you enjoyed that brief interlude, dear listeners, because it's time to kick off the Quarterfinals!"
Hatsume, her enthusiasm undiminished, turned her attention back to the upcoming match. "Alright! Enough talking! Izuku's match is starting!"
"This next match features another clash between 101-A classmates! These two contestants share roots in the U-S-of-A and know a thing or two about one-shot victories!" Mic called out as the screens lit up with two names.
"First up, she may look harmless, but those flying horns will bring you up and right back down! Don't wave a red cape in front of her! Tsunotori Pony!"
The crowd cheered as Tsunotori walked onto the stage. She did a good job of keeping her composure but couldn't completely hide the sheepish smile on her face.
"Versus! The brave warrior who's taking the whole competition by storm! The perfect accumulation of brain and brawn! Put your hands together for Yo Joe himself–Midoriya Izuku!"
Midoriya stepped onto the ring and the applause he received was a few notches louder. Various "Yo Joe" chants echoed throughout the stadium. The super-soldier paid no mind to the noise as he focused on his opponent.
"Izuku!" Tsunotori called out in English. "Let's show 'em how we do it in America! Kay?"
A small smile crossed Midoriya's freckled face as he nodded in return. "Let's make our country proud."
"Are both combatants ready?" Midnight waited for both fighters to nod. When they did, she lifted up her flogger-whip. "Then let the first match in the Quarterfinals…BEGIN!"
Tsunotori wasted no time. She detached two pairs of horns and launched them at her opponent. 'No room for playing around. I need to push him out fast!'
Midoriya kept his eyes on the approaching projectiles and gracefully leaped into the air, letting the horns sail harmlessly beneath him. Tsunotori mentally guided the horns to change course and come at Midoriya from different angles, trying to keep him on the defensive and create an opening to force him out of bounds.
The war veteran relied on his exceptional reflexes and experience to evade the incoming horns. He executed a mesmerizing combination of flips, rolls, and jumps, showcasing his incredible flexibility and reflexes to the audience, especially the Pro Heroes in attendance.
After a brief exchange of dodging and weaving, Midoriya unleashed a lightning-fast, powerful hand strike that shattered one of the horns. He continued to systematically break the remaining horns one by one, all while maintaining his acrobatic performance.
Tsunotori responded by launching four more horns at Midoriya, altering her attack pattern. Her goal was not only to defeat her opponent but also to keep him at bay. While she wasn't weak in close combat, she knew she couldn't match the super-soldier's strength up close. Her strategy was clear: maintain distance and attempt to force him out of bounds.
Midoriya responded with a relentless barrage of rapid punches, chops, and palm strikes, effortlessly shattering the incoming horns. Tsunotori, desperate to find an advantage, continued to launch more horns, trying to keep him at bay.
Meanwhile, in one of the waiting rooms, Kendo couldn't tear her eyes away from the TV screen, captivated by Midoriya's agile movements. 'Wing Chun? Is he using that martial art too?' She observed intently as the green-haired student skillfully broke the airborne horns with his bare hands. 'Maybe he truly does know every martial art.' A fascinated grin crept across her face.
Back on the field, Tsunotori grew increasingly frustrated as Midoriya continued to break her horns. 'This isn't working. I need to change my approach.' Determination welled up within her as she made a split-second decision. "Izuku, get ready for this! Thunder Horn!"
Tsunotori unleashed a barrage of horns from her head.
In the blink of an eye, Midoriya sprinted toward the oncoming salvo. The audience gasped in disbelief. Why was Midoriya charging headlong into the incoming storm of horns? Was he trying to get himself impaled?
To most, he appeared as a blur, but his superhuman reflexes and enhanced cognitive abilities allowed him to process the situation rapidly. He calculated the trajectory of each horn within the cluster, mapping out his path with precision.
As he descended, his left foot landed on one horn, and he used it as a springboard to propel himself forward, landing on another with his right foot. The sequence continued as Midoriya skillfully hopped from horn to horn, resembling someone traversing stepping stones in a turbulent river.
Tsunotori could only gasp in amazement. 'No way!'
After landing on yet another horn, Midoriya reached out, firmly grasping it. In one seamless motion, he hurled it back toward Tsunotori, who barely had time to react. The crowd watched in awe as Midoriya's unexpected maneuver turned the tide of their battle.
The equine-like girl couldn't react in time as the object struck her hard in the temple.
"AAWWK!" Tsunotori was forced to cease her attack, stunned by the hit.
Midoriya dropped and landed on his feet as all of the horns clattered to the ground. He saw his opportunity and acted swiftly. While his opponent was still reeling, he dashed forward, leaping over her. He landed behind her, his superhuman agility allowing him to do so without missing a beat. With lightning speed, he reached out and grabbed Tsunotori by her horns, simultaneously wrapping his powerful legs around her, effectively pinning her arms to her sides.
"Eep!?" Tsunotori yelped in surprise.
With nearly 110 kilograms (~242 lbs) of super-soldier added onto her back, Tsunotori immediately collapsed. Midoriya's body provided some cushioning, but her arms were firmly pinned by his thick, muscular legs, and her horns were locked in an ironclad grip.
Tsunotori squirmed, desperately trying to break free, unwilling to admit defeat. However, as Midoriya began to tighten his leg hold, she quickly realized the futility of her struggles.
"AAAWWH!" The pony-girl couldn't suppress a painful cry as the pressure increased. It felt as if she were being constricted by a python. 'His legs are like logs... It's too much!' She shouted inwardly.
Midoriya's voice cut through her pain. "Pony. Yield."
With her arms pinned and her Quirk nullified, Tsunotori had no other choice.
"I...surrender..." Tsunotori gasped out.
Midnight raised her whip. "Tsunotori has conceded defeat! Midoriya advances to the Semifinals!"
The crowd's cheers grew even louder, with chants of "Yo Joe" echoing throughout the stadium.
Midoriya immediately relaxed his legs and released his hold on Tsunotori. "Are you alright, Pony?" He extended a hand to help her up.
Tsunotori let out a relieved sigh but maintained her smile. She accepted his hand, allowing him to pull her back to her hooves. "Yeah, I'm okay," she replied in English. "Congrats on the win, Izuku! I'll be cheering you on."
Midoriya smiled warmly and nodded. "Thank you, Pony."
"And there you have it, folks! GI Midoriya secures his spot as our first semifinalist! An astounding victory yet again!" Present Mic's enthusiastic voice echoed through the stadium amid thunderous applause. "Eraser, care to share your insights on this match?"
Aizawa nodded as he considered the question. "Midoriya continues to impress not just with his power but with his exceptional strategic thinking. He didn't just win; he outmaneuvered Tsunotori brilliantly, clearly anticipating her every move. These bouts emphasize the significance of well-rounded combat training alongside Quirk utilization. There are moments where relying solely on one's Quirk won't guarantee victory."
Tsunotori listened to her professor's critique, taking it in stride.
"Well put, my bandaged buddy!" Mic responded with enthusiasm, earning an eye roll from Aizawa. "Let's not forget to give credit where it's due. Tsunotori Pony gave it her all and put on a fantastic show for us today!"
The audience responded with a round of applause, which brought a slightly embarrassed but grateful smile to Tsunotori's face. Her adorable expression endeared her even more to the crowd.
As Midoriya and Tsunotori strolled back, the topic of her potential inclusion in his combat lessons came up. Midoriya encouraged her, highlighting the advantages her equine-like physique could offer, especially her powerful kicks. Tsunotori's eyes lit up at the prospect, and she eagerly accepted his offer for lessons in kick-centric martial arts, possibly alongside Iida.
Tsunotori had taken Aizawa's broadcast critique to heart. Over the past few weeks, she had dedicated herself to honing her Quirk and body but realized that her combat skills still needed improvement. She was determined to catch up.
Upon entering Class 101-A's suite, they were met with a surprise – Hatsume Mei was sitting with their friends. Midoriya's greeting was momentarily confused. "Hatsu–uh, Mei?"
Hatsume greeted him with her usual enthusiasm. "Great job out there, Izuku! Oh, and by the way, I've joined your team!"
"Squad," Asui corrected.
Iida's curiosity kicked in. "Actually, Midoriya-kun, do we have too few or too many members to be considered a squad?"
Midoriya, drawing from his knowledge of the US Army's organization, answered, "Well, it varies, but typically a squad has around 7 to 14 members. So technically, we would be classified as a squad."
Hatsume cheered, "Izuku Squad it is!"
Midoriya sighed. "Let's not call it that." He then warmly greeted Hatsume, "But welcome to the team, Mei. Having someone with mechanical expertise will be a valuable addition."
"Maybe you can give Iida a tune-up sometime," Kaminari playfully suggested.
A few students chuckled at the remark, while Asui let out a contented croak. However, Iida was unamused, crossing his arms. "I don't understand what's so amusing about that."
Kaminari leaned closer, his curiosity piqued. "Wait... Can you actually get a tune-up?"
Hatsume's eyes gleamed with interest as she turned her attention to the tall, bespectacled teen. "Oh, that's a fascinating idea! Tell me, Glasses, what secrets lie beneath the surface? Do your calves have compartments for upgrades? Are there modification possibilities?" She licked her lips in excitement.
Iida blushed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and bewilderment. He quickly shifted his seat, putting more distance between himself and Hatsume. Despite his efforts, Hatsume scooted closer, drawing even more laughter from the group.
"How are you feeling, Pony-chan?" Kaminari inquired, patting the empty seat beside him for Tsunotori to sit.
Tsunotori took a seat next to him, her face reflecting a mixture of emotions. "Oh, I'm fine. It stinks to lose," she admitted with a nonchalant shrug, "but I'm still satisfied with how I performed today."
"You should be!" Kaminari chimed in enthusiastically. "Heck, I'm sure you'll get plenty of offers from the Pros."
Tsunotori smiled at the encouragement. "I hope so."
While this went on, Midoriya reclaimed his seat between Yaoyorozu and Uraraka.
"Congratulations on your victory, Izuku-kun," Yaoyorozu smiled warmly.
"Absolutely!" Uraraka chimed in enthusiastically. "You've made it to the Final Four! That's incredibly cool!"
Midoriya acknowledged their well-wishes with a grateful nod and a smile. "Thank you. It means a lot to me." He couldn't help but glance up at the onscreen brackets, where Tsunotori's name had been grayed out, marking his own advancement to the Semifinals bracket. 'Just two more fights to go.'
"Bakugo Katsuki, Kendo Itsuka, please make your way to the field. Todoroki Shoto, Hatsume Mei, please report to your waiting rooms."
Hatsume, who had been occupied with her antics near Iida, perked up immediately. "Well, that's my cue!" She saluted the group with a grin. "Wish me luck, new friends!"
"Good luck, Hatsume-san!" Tsunotori waved enthusiastically.
"Iida-san, you okay?" Uraraka asked with concern, noticing the relief in his demeanor after Hatsume's departure.
"Y-Yes, I'm fine," Iida replied, adjusting his glasses and letting out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
Midoriya gave Hatsume a reassuring nod as she made her exit. "Remember what I said earlier."
Hatsume responded with an affirmative thumbs-up. "Less telling, more showing! Got it!"
Todoroki followed a few steps behind her as they left the suite.
A short moment of silence followed inside the suite.
"Support chick is doomed," Mineta declared flatly.
"Hey, don't say that, man," Kirishima scolded him. "She held her own against that Class B guy."
"It's apples to oranges, dude," Mineta dismissively waved off. "She won't last more than 10 seconds against Todoroki. He's too OP."
Meanwhile, as Hatsume ambled down the corridor toward the elevator, she couldn't help but giggle impishly to herself. 'The first match was just the prologue. Now I can really show off my stuff!'
"And we're back, ladies and gentlemen, with a match that promises a captivating clash of contrasting styles and raw power! Hold on tight because this is one of the Quarterfinals that's sure to keep you on the edge of your seats!" Present Mic's voice resounded as Kendo and Bakugo made their way to the arena.
"In one corner, with a fiery temper that matches his explosive Quirk, he's the unstoppable rocketeer, the explosive enigma—give it up for Bakugo Katsuki!"
Bakugo took his place on the stage, met with thunderous applause from the crowd. His determination burned in his eyes as he locked his gaze onto his opponent. He was determined not to let this match slip through his fingers.
"Facing off against him, the fiery redhead with fists so massive they could pulverize mountains! Let's hear it for my personal favorite in this match—Kendo Itsuka!"
Surprisingly, the audience erupted with even louder cheers for Kendo than for her ash-blond opponent. It seemed that her strength, striking presence, and undeniable capability had won over the crowd's favor.
Unfazed by Bakugo's attempts at intimidation, Kendo shot a confident glance back at him, ready to face whatever challenges this battle would bring. She seemed poised and prepared, as if she anticipated the fight beginning before Midnight's signal.
"And here we have the fourth showdown between Class 101-A and 101-B in their Hero Course class clashes! With Class A holding a 2-1 lead so far, can Class B's Kendo level the score? Or will Class A extend their bragging rights?"Present Mic's electrifying commentary fueled the crowd's excitement to new heights.
Kendo took a moment to size up her formidable opponent. 'Bakugo is undoubtedly powerful, confident, and, begrudgingly, quite cunning. I can't afford to underestimate him,' she thought, recalling Bakugo's devastating move that had defeated Tokage while injuring his own shoulders. 'I need to wrap this up quickly. Letting this match play out would only work in his favor.' She closed her eyes briefly and inhaled deeply, calming her racing nerves.
'She might be tough, but I've already faced Mossy Head. This should be easier.' On the other side of the stage, Bakugo crouched down, hands poised behind him, ready to make his move. 'Man Hands, you better be–'
His thoughts were interrupted when he saw Kendo assume a sprinter's stance on all fours, her teal eyes locking onto his ruby-red ones. There were no words exchanged, but the challenge was unmistakable.
"Come at me," her stance seemed to declare.
Bakugo couldn't help but flash a manic grin. An adrenaline rush surged through him, the thrill of battle coursing through his veins. 'Alright, Man Hands, let's see what you've got.' He relished the prospect of a formidable challenge, knowing it would prepare him for the battles against Midoriya and, ultimately, Todoroki.
'I'll reclaim my rightful place at the top! I'll be the one closest to All Might, not anyone else.' His fiery gaze briefly flicked to the stands, pinpointing a certain stealth-foreigner. 'Especially not you.'
"I got to say Eraser, this new generation of All Stars have an intensity to them." Mic commented.
"I believe most simply call it teenage angst." Aizawa dryly remarked.
From her elevated platform, Midnight observed Bakugo and Kendo closely. "Both fighters are locked in and ready to roll!" She raised her whip, then brought it down decisively. "BEGIN!"
With determination, both fighters dashed forward without hesitation. Bakugo propelled himself with explosions, while Kendo charged ahead at full speed. As they closed in on each other at the center of the arena, Kendo suddenly enlarged her right fist, smashing the concrete beneath her feet. She scooped up several broken pieces and hurled them toward her explosive opponent.
In a swift move, Bakugo launched himself into the air, narrowly avoiding the flying projectiles. Simultaneously, he released rapid-fire blasts towards Kendo. She enlarged both of her hands to shield herself from the explosions, deftly maneuvering around the ring to evade the fiery bursts. However, the concrete shrapnel stung her skin, and the deafening sound of the explosions rang in her ears.
As Kendo concentrated on evading Bakugo's relentless attacks, a dense cloud of smoke and concrete dust enveloped the arena, shrouding everything in a thick haze. Her vision obscured, Kendo stumbled over uneven and cracked surfaces. Realizing that she was running out of options, she plunged her massive hands into the concrete below and exerted all her strength.
Meanwhile, Bakugo continued his explosive assault, the detonations echoing for what felt like an eternity. Eventually, he ceased his attack and descended back to the ring, his palms crackling with latent energy. He called out to his opponent, taunting, "You asked for this, Man Hands! Hope you're not quitting already!"
But there was no response, just an eerie silence amid the dusty haze. Bakugo, not one to take chances after his previous match, scoured the cloud for any sign of his opponent.
Click. Clang. Click.
Bakugo's head snapped to the right, alert as something clattered on the ground. Without hesitation, he detonated another explosion in that direction. The forceful blast cleared away the dust and revealed a cracked and battered ring, but Kendo was nowhere in sight.
Confusion knitted Bakugo's brow. "What the–" His attention was suddenly grabbed by a flash of blue and orange from the left as Kendo unleashed an enlarged punch directly into his gut.
"BLAGH!" The ash-blond hero staggered backward, doubled over, and coughed, surprised by the sudden attack. How had she managed to approach him unseen and unscathed by his previous explosive assault?
Unbeknownst to Bakugo, Kendo had cleverly used a chunk of the ring's debris to shield herself from his explosive onslaught. Then, utilizing the cover of the dust cloud, she discreetly tossed pebbles across the ring to distract Bakugo, buying her enough time to close the gap and catch him off guard.
Instinctively, the spiky-haired hero raised his right hand to keep Kendo at bay, but she swiftly slapped his outstretched hand away. Without activating her Quirk, she followed through by striking the heel of her palm into his nose, relishing the satisfying crunch of cartilage breaking. Her attack continued as she bent her fingers into a claw shape and raked them across his face.
"AAWWKK!" Bakugo couldn't contain the sharp cry of pain as he felt the searing agony in his skull. Realizing she couldn't afford to toy with an opponent like Bakugo, Kendo spun to her right, dropped to her left knee, and braced her hands on the ground for support. She then thrust the bottom of her right foot into her opponent's right knee.
SNAP!
Bakugo howled in agony, collapsing onto his left knee, his right knee dislocated.
Kendo crouched low and swiftly swept Bakugo's legs out from beneath him, sending him crashing to the ground.
'I need to end this now!' Kendo's hands grew larger, and she clenched them together, preparing to slam Bakugo into the ground.
As Bakugo plummeted, his ruby eyes widened in a shocking realization.
He was on the verge of defeat, and not just any defeat, but a humiliating one. He was being bested by someone who wasn't even considered one of the top powerhouses in the Heroic Course.
Memories of his intense battle with Midoriya during the Battle Trials flooded his mind.
No. Absolutely not! Bakugo couldn't allow this to happen. He had already narrowly escaped defeat in the First Round against Tokage. And he still had to face Midoriya and Todoroki.
He refused to lose.
With an explosive roar, Bakugo raised his left hand, unleashing a massive, overpowering explosion that collided head-on with Kendo's fists.
KA-BOOM!
The tremendous force of the explosion partially embedded Bakugo into the concrete floor, while Kendo was sent hurtling back across the ring.
Despite the ringing in her ears and the burns on her hands, Kendo managed to spin gracefully in midair, landing in a crouched position with her gym uniform tattered and scorched.
She winced from the pain but maintained her focus. 'I'm still standing. I can still...'
"Kendo, you stepped over the line!" Midnight's voice interrupted her thoughts, and Kendo glanced down to see her right foot had indeed crossed the marked boundary.
Frustration welled up within her, and she clenched her partially burned hands. 'Damn it...'
Midnight announced, "By ringout, our winner is Bakugo!"
The crowd erupted into applause, and Kendo sighed in disappointment. Mic chimed in, sounding equally let down, "It looked like Kendo was on the verge of an upset with those killer melee moves, but Bakugo's explosion sent her just over the line. Bakugo advances...good job, I guess."
Aizawa couldn't help but chide Mic, "Stay unbiased, Mic."
Struggling to push himself out of the shallow hole he created, Bakugo felt lightheaded and mumbled through his battered nose, "D-d-dammit..."
Standing up shakily, he winced from the pain in his right knee and his injured nose. Despite the win, he couldn't shake the feeling of dissatisfaction. It was another victory based on technicality, just like the Castle Node incident.
He clenched his fists tightly, trembling with frustration. 'Not again! Dammit!'
"You two!" Midnight called out firmly. "Go see Recovery Girl ASAP, especially you, Bakugo. She'll need to take a look at that nose and knee."
Kendo nodded in agreement. "Yes, ma'am,"
"Fine." Bakugo said tersely.
Midnight shifted her attention to Bakugo. "Do you need the medical bots to help you to the infirmary?"
"Hell no!" Bakugo exclaimed. "I can get there fine on my own."
With that, the two fighters left the stage, heading toward the nearest tunnel. There was a noticeable distance between them.
Kendo couldn't help but glance back and notice Bakugo's limp. "Are you sure you don't need any help?"
"Of course I am! Mind your own damn business!" Bakugo snapped.
Kendo groaned, rolling her eyes. "Tone down the attitude. I'm just trying to help."
"I didn't ask for help!" Bakugo retorted. "You may have gotten a few good hits on me, but don't think for a second that it makes me weak!"
Kendo frowned, her concern genuine. "Needing help every once in a while doesn't make you weak."
"All Might never needs help. I'm going to be a Hero who doesn't rely on anyone else. I'll be the undisputed champion when it's all said and done!"
Kendo countered, "Then I guess you don't need to visit Recovery Girl then, huh? You know, since you don't need to rely on her to fix that broken nose and bum knee?"
Bakugo lowered his gaze, unable to come up with a response. He turned away, muttering, "Shut the hell up, Ginger."
Kendo smirked victoriously. "I'll see you in the medical ward then. Try not to trail behind too far, Mister Undisputed Champ." She walked ahead down the corridor.
Alone, Bakugo leaned against the cool wall, taking several deep breaths. His expression shifted, showing a hint of vulnerability that was rarely seen. He couldn't quite grasp his emotions, so he pushed them aside for now. He needed to get healed up and ready for his match with Midoriya to assert his position as the best in class. However, a nagging worry remained about the effects of Recovery Girl's Quirk on his stamina.
As Bakugo and Kendo exited the arena, Present Mic announced there would be a short commercial break while Cementoss repaired the ring.
"Whoa… That didn't go like I thought it would," Kaminari sounded surprised.
"Kendo-san really pushed Bakugo to the brink," Kirishima grinned roguishly. "Those moves were so cool!"
"It sucks she lost, though," Ashido bemoaned. "I was really hoping she'd win."
"What were those moves Kendo was using?" Tsunotori asked. "They looked different from the ones Izuku, Yaomomo, and Ochako have used."
Midoriya answered, "Kung Fu, more specifically, Tiger Style."
"Tiger Style?" Tsunotori tilted her head, confused.
Midoriya continued, "There are different styles of Kung Fu that focus on striking techniques, but Tiger Style emphasizes close-range and grappling, allowing the user to take down their opponent quickly and efficiently."
Tsunotori nodded, starting to understand. "I think I get it. She did move kind of like a tiger, especially when she clawed Bakugo in the face," she added with a grin.
Uraraka looked thoughtful. 'Grappling, huh? Izuku's Judo lessons have been useful. Maybe I can learn a style like that to pair with what he's been teaching me.'
Midoriya shifted his attention to the jumbotron, which was showing highlights from Bakugo and Kendo's match. "Even though she lost, Kendo had a solid plan in mind. Bakugo is the type of fighter you want to take down as quickly as possible. He only gets stronger as a fight progresses."
Iida nodded in agreement. "Yes, because of his Quirk. The more he sweats, the more fuel for his explosions."
Yaoyorozu, who was slowly eating a high-calorie protein bar, turned to Midoriya looking mildly worried. "This means you'll be facing Bakugo next. I know you've beaten him before, but do you think you can take him in this setting?"
Midoriya hummed in contemplation. "It won't be a cakewalk, but I have some ideas in mind."
"Mind sharing?" Sero requested.
Midoriya grinned slyly. "Where would the fun be in that?"
"BOO!" Ashido gave him a thumbs-down.
"Todoroki Shoto, Hatsume Mei, please make your way to the field. Shinso Hitoshi, Yaoyorozu Momo, please report to your waiting rooms."
Eating the last bit of her snack, Yaoyorozu stood up from her seat. "I'll be heading down then."
"Yaomomo, you remember how Shinso's Quirk works, right?" Midoriya inquired.
Yaoyorozu smiled fondly at him and nodded. "Yes. If I'm not mistaken, it's triggered by verbally responding to him. I'll be sure to ignore whatever he says."