Chapter 38 – The First Round of the Tournament
The first round of the tournament went on smoothly. After Melissa, it was Denki's turn, and his opponent was Ibara Shiozaki, a medium-sized girl whose hair was replaced by green vines, one of which wrapped crosswise around her forehead and extended just above her waist. Her eyes were dark green with long eyelashes. The victory went to Ibara, who used her Quirk to manipulate her vines. Denki discharged his electricity, but became helpless and was trapped by Ibara's vines.
Izuku has nothing against the girl, but her firm religious faith doesn't drive him crazy. I thought I left them in the 41st millennium, the religious fanatics. I forgot that they exist here, too. He sighed at the thought.
The next fight saw Hanta versus Shoto… an explosive encounter. Hanta knew he had little chance against Shoto, but tried anyway. Shoto, in a bad mood, made his feelings clear during their clash.
«What a shame...» Shoto stared with angry eyes
Seeing those eyes, Izuku felt the Machine Spirit of "Aegis of Fortitude" and his instinct, sharp and alert, insistently warned him of imminent danger. He felt something big was coming.
Emperor’s teeth!
«Forgive me, sensei!» Izuku exclaimed, putting on his helmet
«Huh? Hey!!!» Midnight exclaimed, surprised.
From Shoto's simple look, a big glacier formed and covered half the ring, rising above the arena. Everyone was amazed by the young hero's power.
Izuku protected Midnight from Shoto's attack by using his cloak. The cloak is very similar to that of the Captain-General, woven from adamantite. It has a flowing appearance but can easily repel blades and projectiles. Izuku’s trust paid off. The ice failed to overcome the metal fabric, so both he and Midnight were protected.
«U-uhm… thanks for your thoughtfulness, but… n-now, could you let me down?» asked Midnight, slightly flushed
When he looked, Midnight was red and in Izuku's arms. He had rushed her into his arms to protect her from Shoto's area attack.
«Yes. Just a moment…»
Izuku exhaled. With a movement of his arm holding the cloak, the ice blocking the metal fabric broke into splinters. Free from the ice grip, Izuku leaned back. Midnight momentarily adjusted her hair. Her cheeks were slightly red, but she quickly recovered.
Even though Midnight had asked Sero, out of sheer formality, if he was able to continue, it was clear that Shoto was the winner. However, Shoto apologised several times for the obvious exaggeration, evident in the anxiety in his eyes and the restlessness of his movements. Izuku, still wearing the helmet, looked closely at Shoto, sensing his uneasiness and wondering if he should speak to him. But he eventually abandoned the idea: after all, it's not something he has the right to stick his nose into.
Continuing the fight, Tenya confronted Mei. Mei convinced Tenya to use some of her "children." The match was scenic, showing off her inventions, but Izuku only saw a tag game for 10 minutes. Tenya won because Mei got what she wanted and left the ring, making Tenya scream in frustration. I'm not even surprised: Ida-san takes things too seriously, while Hatsume-san was clearly looking for investors. Izuku sighed, reciting the Litany of Comfort to the Machine Spirit of "Aegis of Fortitude."
The round between Mina and Yuga was more acrobatic. Yuga used his Quirk, Navel Laser, to hit Mina or knock her out. Mina dodged the laser beams with agility. Mina won by damaging Yuga's belt and knocking him out with an uppercut. Not bad, Mina, but… Yuga's Quirk… something doesn't add up. Izuku's instinct told him to keep an eye on Yuga. He felt something was wrong and couldn't shake it off.
The clash between Fumikage and Momo was one-sided. Momo could create what she needed. Fumikage's Dark Shadow prevented her from fully exploiting what she created. It was a simple one-on-two fight. Momo is better suited to a supporting role as she is now. Fumikage had an advantage.
The penultimate fight between Eijiro and Tetsutetsu was as loud as it was direct: the two young men faced each other head-on, making their fists talk, powered by their respective Quirks, Hardening and Steel. In the end, the fight was a draw, and it was decided that once both had recovered, the winner would be determined by an arm-wrestling match. This draw was expected. Their Quirks are incredibly similar. In the end, the winner of the arm wrestling contest was Eijiro.
The final round was between Katsuki and Ochaco. Ochaco's Quirk is not suited to combat, so the outcome was decided from the start. Yet determination lets humans turn even unsuitable things into lethal weapons.
Ochaco used Katsuki's explosions to her advantage, crouching and forcing him to hit the ground, which broke, sending debris flying. That girl, using Kacchan to create her bullets…
«Hey, you!! Are you really trying to become a hero?!» began a Professional Hero in the stands «There is too much difference between you two. Why don't you just throw her out of the ring?! Are you having fun playing with her?!»
Similar comments and questions rang out from the stands. To the untrained eye, this fight looks like bullying. It seems a sadist is breaking their opponent. And yet, even Present Mic can't see it...
«Sigh… these idiots.» Izuku sighed softly.
«Huh? Did you sa-» started to ask Midnight
*THUNK!* *BOOOM!*
With the spear shaft, Izuku pounded hard on the floor, cracking it and making a dry and destruction-filled sound rumble. At the same time, Katsuki caused another explosion, but it was still defined enough to draw the spectators' gaze to him.
«Be quiet, all of you.» he stated coldly, without raising his voice «You say you are professionals and yet you are not able to see.»
Izuku had not turned towards the audience. He didn't need it. His bloodlust and intimidation were his eyes, making many present shiver.
«Y-you're a referee!» stated the same Hero who had spoken before «Y-you should-»
Izuku's guarding position, with the tip of the spear pointing skyward, relaxed, and the tip turned toward the floor. It seemed like a harmless gesture, made to relax. Yet, only by shifting the weight, Izuku seemed so threatening that one step was enough to end the lives of those present.
«If I didn't intervene…» he began, opening his relaxed position «it's because there is no danger for the two contenders. Furthermore, since you haven't understood it, I ask you clearly: are your eyes only for beauty?»
Izuku had noticed that Ochaco had achieved her goal, so his next action would not affect the girl's plan.
«In battle, those who underestimate their opponent are first to die.» Izuku stated, clutching his spear with tense muscles «Bakugou-san, unlike you, is aware of this truth. Now plug that mouth and use your eyes better.»
The ring was filled with smoke and dust from Katsuki's explosions, blocking the view. The moment Ochaco's hands, whose face showed how tired but determined she was, clapped, Izuku moved his spear, generating a powerful blast of wind that freed the ring from the accumulated dust. Only then did those who hadn't noticed notice: dozens, hundreds of debris were levitating above Katsuki's head. All debris created by his explosions was promptly touched by Ochaco to negate its gravity.
«I want to win!!!» Ochaco roared determinedly
Gravity on the debris multiplied. They fell on Katsuki like meteorites. It was a good strategy, but the brute force of Katsuki's Quirk protected him and completely destroyed the debris.
«That was close...» Katsuki stated, sincerely surprised «very well. Let's end the show, Round Cheeks!»
«That's enough.» spoke Izuku, appearing in front of Ochaco and catching the exhausted girl in time «Katsuki Bakugou goes to the second round. Congratulations to both of you for your hard work.»
«I CAN STILL-!»
«WHA-?!! DON'T INTERFERE, DE-!»
«Use your eyes, Kacchan. Your opponent can't fight anymore.» Izuku said, meeting Katsuki's gaze «Uraraka, you've reached your limit with that attack. If I leave, you'll collapse, and you know it.» He turned toward Ochaco.
The medical robots arrived with a stretcher. Izuku put Ochaco, who was exhausted, in it. Only then did Ochaco realise she was at her limit. Katsuki was unhappy with the result, especially since Izuku anticipated his victory by just a second. For some reason, this left Katsuki with a bitter taste in his victory.
As he watched his friend's back fade away, Izuku sighed, feeling both relief and resignation, while Present Mic told the audience there would be a break.