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Beginning of Chapter
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The stadium shook with the echoes of combat long past. Even as the smoke and explosions that rattled the arena and faint Reds and Blues dissipated into memory, the roar of the crowd lingered, bouncing off the steel arches overhead and rolling like thunder through every corridor.
High above in the commentator's booth, Present Mic's voice crackled with excitement, calling for calm and ceremony. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN WHAT A SHOW! What heart! What grit! But before we crown our champions… please join me in giving a thunderous round of applause to all our competitors today, for showing us the genuine spirit of U.A.!"
The audience obliged, stomping, clapping, chanting.
But beneath the grand spectacle, far from the light and noise, the locker room was still, completely silent save for the faint hiss of water dripping from the sink.
Gojo leaned forward, palms braced on the porcelain, head bowed. His shoulders were rigid, breath sharp and uneven. For once, the playful grin was gone. He clenched his jaw so tight that it ached.
"Pathetic," he muttered, staring at his reflection. His voice was low, edged with something darker than sarcasm. "Somewhat matching me? Even if it's for a moment, I've been slacking. The thrill was exhilarating, but that attack could of left me having to regenerate another damn torso."
He struck the mirror in front of him.
CRACK
The mirror shattered under his fist, shards cascading across porcelain and tile. A ribbon of blood trickled down his knuckles and sealed instantly, skin knitting flawlessly once more.
He shut his eyes, steadying his breath. Slowly, carefully. He uncurled his fingers and flexed his hand.
When his eyes opened again, the crystalline blue cut through the room like knives. His reflection stared back, fractured by the faint cracks spider webbing through the glass.
Then it shifted. The sharp grin. The red eyes of a monster stared back at him. Ryomen.
For a moment, the silence stretched taut as wire.
Gojo's lips twitched. His expression smoothed into calm, almost serene, as though the anger had bled away. He straightened, stretching his arms and putting his sunglasses back on.
"Not today," he murmured. "Need combat training, better my quirk and this new Six Eyes. Probably need to start building more muscle." He sighed as he pushed himself away from the sink and the cracked mirror.
The roar of the stadium thundered through the tunnel, drowning the last of his words. Gojo adjusted his collar, rolled his shoulders loose, and when he soon stepped toward the light, it would be the with the same lazy swagger the world expected from him.
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"YOOOOOOOO MUSUTAFU!"
Present Mic's voice boomed like an explosion, the stadium erupting into chaos once more. "WE'VE SEEN HEART-STOPPING BATTLES! TEARS! TRIUMPH! AND NOW… THE MOMENT YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR! IT'S MEDAL CEREMONY TIME!"
The crowd roared until the ground trembled. Fireworks bloomed across the sky, glittering gold against the dusk. Camera drones zoomed across the arena, projecting every angle of the stage.
The students gathered on the grassy field, rows of uniforms neat but the energy anything but. Some whispered, some laughed nervously, some stared up into the endless stands of cheering faces.
Midoriya stood at the front of Class 1-A, one hand still bandaged heavily from his fight with Todoroki. His freckled face was pale but his eyes shone with determination. "Next time," he muttered under his breath, fingers clenching. "Next time I'll—"
"Don't push yourself, Midoriya." Kaminari's voice cut in. "You've proven yourself. Today, we all celebrate in our growth." He said looking serious off into the distance.
"Yeah, yeah, we get it, Shakespeare," Kaminari interrupted, clapping a hand on Kaminari's shoulder. "Let the guy hype himself up a little! He literally blew himself to bits and still kept fighting." He grinned, sparks flickering between his fingers. "Honestly, Midoriya, kinda hardcore."
Mina sniffled dramatically. "Ugh, it was so cool! You were like 'WHAM!' and Todoroki was like 'WHOOSH!' and then—"
Sero sighed, smacking Mina's head lightly. "Man, you sound like Present Mic." right as Momo smacked the back of his head and telling them all to remain quiet as they were about to start.
Midnight strutted into the center, whip dangling lazily at her side, her smile sultry but professional. "Oh, my little darlings, what a show you've given us today. I'm proud. So proud." Her lips curled further as she winked at the crowd. "But now it's time to crown our champions! Let's hear it—"
But her words were drowned as a thunderous voice cracked the air.
"I… AM… HERE!"
The stadium erupted.
All Might strode from the entrance tunnel like a rising sun, golden hair blazing, smile bright enough to outshine the fireworks overhead. The earth seemed to quake beneath his steps. His cape snapped like a banner of victory.
"IT'S ALL MIGHT!" Present Mic shrieked, nearly falling off his booth. "THE SYMBOL OF PEACE HIMSELF IS IN THE HOUSE!"
Fans screamed, children cried, Pro Heroes stood instinctively straighter.
The students froze in awe.
"It's… All Might…" Uraraka whispered, her eyes wide.
"He came himself?" Momo said breathlessly, hand pressed to her chest. "For us?"
Around them, the crowd stomped and chanted, the sound like an earthquake. For a moment, the students were just kids again, staring at the man who represented everything they dreamed of becoming.
When All Might raised his hand, the entire stadium fell silent, his presence alone enough to still the chaos.
And every single student stood taller, straighter, prouder because no matter how battered they were, no matter how bitter the losses, they had fought under his watchful eye
The Symbol of Peace raised one massive hand and instantly, the chaos in the entire stadium quieted into reverent hush.
All Might's voice rolled across the arena like gospel. "People of Japan! Students of U.A.! Today… I am honored." He pressed a hand to his chest, bowing his head slightly towards the students as they were all shocked with his gesture.
"Honored to have borne witness to the next generation of heroes, showing us your hearts, your courage, your will to rise beyond limits. You've reminded us all… why we fight. Why we protect. Why we believe in a brighter tomorrow."
The crowd responded with deafening cheers.
In the teacher's booth, Aizawa groaned, tugging his scarf higher over his face. "Of course they're losing their minds…" But despite his tone, his tired eyes softened faintly.
The applause rose like a tidal wave, but All Might lifted his hand once more, commanding silence as effortlessly as breathing. His eyes swept over the students—bandaged, bruised, trembling, yet standing proud.
"And so," he continued, his booming voice laced with warmth, "let us recognize those who stood at the pinnacle today. For though each of you has shown strength, heart, and resolve, yet three have risen above the trials set before them."
His smile widened, brighter than the stadium lights themselves. "It is my great honor… to present the awards!"
The crowd erupted, horns blaring, fireworks bursting overhead. Present Mic nearly blew out his own microphone with excitement. "YEEAHH!! HERE IT COMES, FOLKS!! THE MEDAL CEREMONY YOU'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!"
The students instinctively turned, forming neat rows as Midnight beckoned the finalists forward to the podium set at center stage. The polished platform gleamed under the spotlight, draped in U.A.'s proud banner.
The stage was quiet, but the silence carried a different weight than the battles before. The roar of the stadium had simmered into a steady applause as the finalists stood at the podium, the setting sun catching on the medals gleaming in All Might's hands.
Third place was called first via the booming voice of Present Mic, as if trying to challenge All Might with his volume. "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IN THIRD PLACE, THE FREEZING AND BLAZING BOY HIMSELF, THE COLD FIRE OF U.A. SHOTO TODOROKI!"
Shoto Todoroki stepped forward, his body still wrapped in bandages and bruises from the punishment of his last fight. Despite the strain, his posture was upright, his expression serious. All Might's huge shadow fell over him as he leaned down, offering a warm hand.
"Young Todoroki," All Might's booming voice carried across the arena, steady yet encouraging. "It takes incredible strength to stand your grounds in the ring against your opponents… but it takes even more to overcome the weight of your own heart. To face your emotions and still fight forward is something far greater than raw power."
The bronze medal slipped around Todoroki's neck. For a moment, Shoto's gaze softened, just slightly, before he bowed his head in quiet acknowledgment.
The applause swelled.
"SECOND PLACE!" Present Mic shouted from his booth, pumping the crowd back up. "The boy who fought with nothing but pride, drive, and EXPLOSIONS, KATSUKI BAKUGO!"
But the spotlight found only an empty space. Midnight's whip cracked lightly for attention, and the camera panned to the side screens, where Recovery Girl's infirmary was shown.
Aizawa spoke flatly over the microphone as he stood next to Present mic. "Bakugo is still recovering. He can't be here on stage."
All Might, however, smiled as if that absence meant nothing. "He doesn't need to stand here to prove his spirit. I saw it with my own eyes pride, ferocity, and strength in every blow. Second place is only the beginning for him."
The crowd erupted again, cheering Bakugo's name despite his absence.
And then...
"AAND NOW, THE MOMENT YOU'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR!" Midnight's voice rang like a whipcrack. She twirled dramatically, arm extended to the final podium. "THE WINNER OF THE U.A. SPORTS FESTIVAL, THE KING OF THE ARENA SATORU GOJOOOOO!"
The stadium exploded. Hands clapped, voices roared, the sheer volume shaking the air, people all got put there seats and chanted his name.
"GO-JO"
"GO-JO"
"GO-JO"
"GO-JO"
Gojo appeared at his spot in an instant, warping onto the podium as if stepping out of thin air. His head tilted with a cheeky grin, eyes glowing behind the sunglasses and a hand already raised to wave to his screaming fans.
"YOUNG GOJO!" All Might laughed, voice booming even above the chaos. He placed the gleaming gold medal around Gojo's neck. "Victory is a great feeling… but it takes far more to remain at the top. That is your true challenge from here on."
Gojo laughed right back, casual as always. "Heh, sounds fun. Guess I'll keep winning then."
The two shook hands firmly, a giant and the newly crowned king of U.A. For a moment, the crowd went insane camera flashes, chants, the arena practically trembling with excitement.
All Might's smile softened as he caught sight of the stands. Midoriya stood among his classmates, battered but smiling, his eyes sharp and unwavering as they fixed on Gojo's figure.
'He's handling this better than I thought…' All Might thought with quiet pride. 'No tears, no despair..
just determination. With One For All in those hands, and that heroic fire in his heart… perhaps young Gojo will have more trouble holding the crown than he thinks.'
The roar of the stadium thundered on, cementing this moment in memory. All Might, standing infront of Satoru Gojo, as the two laughed, the brightest spot in the U.A. Sports Festival.
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Far from the screams and excitement of the stadium, in a pristine skyscraper office, President Madame Kamizono watched the Sorts Festival Award broadcast in silence. Her nails tapped against the mahogany desk.
"… You just had to show off... You probably knew I'd have to make changes to the offer so you'd come to us..." She said with slight annoyance laced in her tone.
She lifted the landline, dialing swiftly and put the handle to her ear as it rang. After a few minutes, the person she called answered, their voice was smooth, tired, and laced with irritation. "What is it, Reinka? I'm in the middle of—"
"I know you're in court," she cut him off. "This cannot wait."
A pause. Then a sigh. "…If you had the gall to call me mid-trial, it must be dire. Out with it."
"I want a particular student from U.A. to join us." Her tone was flat, cold. "Student or not, I'll make it happen. Hawks was fifteen. I'll spin the narrative. Find me the legal threads and loopholes like you did with Hawks, I want this boy under Commission control."
On the other end, silence. Then the faint sound of papers shuffling. "…Of course. I guess it wouldnt be a wild assumption to say this boy might be the Sports Festival winner." The voice chuckled humorlessly. "Fine. Tomorrow. We'll discuss him. And… the cases crawling with Sukuna's name. They're multiplying. I'm handling all your cases, will finish and clear my schedule for tomorrow.
Kamizono nodded as she let out a slightly relieved sigh. "We thank you for all the work you do. I look forward to–"
The line clicked dead.
"Did the bastard really hang up on me." She muttered under her breathe as put the phone down.
At the other end of the city, a tall man in a black suit slipped his phone into his pocket as the courtroom murmured nervously at his return. Pale skin, slicked-back black hair, eyes sharp as blades strode forward, every step deliberate.
He reached the bench, gaze sweeping the lawyers before him.
His voice cut through the room like steel as he raised his weapon to bring order to his courtroom.
The gavel slammed.
"Objection."
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End of Chapter
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