Chereads / My Hero Academia: Tropic Thunder / Chapter 16 - U.A Festival (Part 2)

Chapter 16 - U.A Festival (Part 2)

-Narrator POV-

Todoroki's team -which Kaminari is part of- soon becomes surrounded as other teams as they see the chance of picking the highest score teams hudded together. Todoroki orders Ilda to charge at Midoriya's team while other teams follow. Seeing the the other teams closing in, Kaminari's part is due.

"Yaoyorozu, prepare the defense!" And so she does as she creates an insulator sheet and a lightning rod.

"Kaminari!"

"On it!" Todoroki doesn't even need to finish, Kaminari knows his part.

"Please make sure you defend yourselves." Kaminari's plead is truthful and free of sarcasm, he is about to attack colleagues and classmates. What many would consider an impossible feat for Kaminari, weeks worth of training with the aid of Jirou and Yaoyorozu has made him develop new techniques.

"ZEUS'..." Kaminari lights up with sparks flying everywhere.

"...ELYSIUM FIELDS!"

Electricity unleashes from his body and floods the terrain around the group, electrifying every single team in the vicinity.

"Maintain the current low, high voltage!" Kaminari thought to himself, he knew the exact ratio to just stun people and not severely hurt them, just a minor, painful disconfort.

The scenery blew with a bright light, the spectators witnessed as all the teams were stunned and paralized by Kaminari's attack.

"Four... Five!" Kaminari whispered as he stopped the current flow, immediately followed by Todoroki's ice attack, mainly trapping the other teams, and creating an ice barrier that separated his team and Midoriya's from the rest. Kaminari needs a moment, despite the obstacle of mid range attacks being surpassed, the power is still too much for him body to handle yet, his feet are burned, though he makes his best effort to tolerate the pain until the healing is finished.

Kaminari also noticed that Tokoyami's quirk, Dark Shadow as he heard it being called, became somewhat vulnerable after the attack, making Kaminari wonder if his quirk is either weak to electricity or to general light emmiting quirks.

"The lightning rod worked wonders, the insulator as well, Yaoyorozu is the mvp of our team." Kaminari thought to himself, the team was unharmed, not one sign of injury from the latest attack, the feeling of relief is overwhelming. But nothing is guaranteed yet, Midoriya's team is still active even though cornered, Tokoyami's Dark Shadow still proves to be a challenge as it can withstand Kaminari's electricity.

"Guys, we have only one minute left. You're not gonna be able to use me after this. I count on you!" Ilda affirms as he looks focused at Midoriya's team. He takes a runners stance.

"Hold tight! Make sure you get it, Todoroki!" His exhausts are heated, Kaminari braces for what's to come.

"Torque Over: Recipro Burst!"

The team suddenly accelerates beyond normal velocities as Ilda activates his special move. Todoroki has barely enough reaction time to grab the 10 million point headband. The others are all shocked with surprise as Ilda gasps for air.

"What was that?" Todoroki for the first time expressed surprise and awe.

"By forcing the torque and accelerating the rotations, I created an explosive power. With the recoil generated, I won't be able to use it for a while..." Ilda explanation challenged Midoriya to his very core, he showed to everyone that he doesn't pretend to sit behind and settle for second place. The crowd erupts, the announcers go insane, Ilda's secret card has paid off.

Congratulations will have to wait as Midoriya's team rush to recover the headband, however! The sudden advance meant little time for Yaoyorozu to react and create the lightning rod, and without Ilda's defence, Kaminari has no choice but to rely on Todoroki to protect the headband as any move will also harm his own team.

"Shit! Heads up, Todoroki!" Kaminari exclaims as Todoroki activated his left side fire quirk in desperation, much to Kaminari's surprise as he heard the latter say it that he won't use his left side in battle.

Midoriya's arm glows as he prepares his attack, Kaminari can merely watch with dismay as the clash is about to happen.

*Fwoooosh!*

A gust of wind opens Todoroki's defenses, leaving him vulnerable, Midoriya seizes the opportunity and grabs one of the headbands from Torodoki! Thankfully for them, he took the wrong one.

Almost immediately Dark Shadow pounces at the team!

"Kaminari!" Todoroki's desperate plead is not in vain as he covers the team with the insulator sheet for Kaminari is already aware.

"ZEUS' ELYSIUM FIELDS!" Kaminari's attack was almost too late as it stopped Dark Shadow merely inches from his face, paralising the fiend before any damage could've been done.

Soon the duel is on it's way to become a brawl as Bakugou exploded the ice wall and rushed at Todoroki's team. At this point, another zone attack such as Elysium fields will render Kaminari useless as his brain will short circuit. Todoroki knows as such and grabs a metal bar before freezing it and making it his weapon from the upcoming class as he sees Midoriya and Bakugou coming in hot from all sides.

"Zeus' E-" Kaminari is ready to risk it all.

"Time up!" Present Mic screams as the timer runs off! "This is the end of the second round of the Cavalry battle!"

Kaminari tension wears off like a weight of tons has been lifted off his back. Bakugou face plant into the ground and proceeding tantrum gave him a little chuckle.

"Let's give a look at the four best teams!"

"First place, Todoroki's team!" Hearing the announcement gives a rush of happiness into Kaminari's heart.

"Even though we won, it feels like it was too close to confort." Yaoyorozu is not wrong, they almost lost the headband hadn't Midoriya got the wrong one.

"I'm apologize... I've caused problems..." Ilda is blaming himself for some reason.

"That's not true. Without you we wouldn't have won." Yaoyorozu reassures him.

"That is right, brother. You don't need to apologize." Kaminari jumps in, Ilda filled in the gaps since he was in charge of offense.

...

"Those four teams advances to the final round!" Watching Midoriya attempt to flood the arena with his tears finally kills the tension the cavalry battle had produced.

"We will now have one hour lunchbreak before starting the evening's festivities. Until there!" Present Mic ends his transmission.

...

Shoto Todoroki brings Izuku to the Student and Faculty Entrance, but his reason is unknown to Izuku. Izuku says that they should get lunch before they run out of time, but Shoto continues his cold intimidation and ignores him. When Shoto finally speaks, he says the power that came from Izuku during the Cavalry Battle was the same as All Might.

Then, much to Izuku's shock, Shoto asks if he is All Might's "secret love child". Izuku attempts to explain that isn't the case, but Shoto figures out that there is a secret connection between the two. Shoto states that he is the son of the #2 Hero, Endeavor, giving him even more reason to defeat Izuku.

Shoto explains to Izuku that Endeavor is obsessed with defeating All Might, and although he was never able to do it, he is still trying to. Endeavor used his money to buy out Rei Todoroki's family to implement a Quirk marriage with the intent of creating a powerful child; eventually, Shoto was born. He reveals that Endeavor only created him to annex All Might as the number one hero and that all the memories of his mother are of her crying. He also says that his mother called his left side unbearable before pouring boiling water on his face, which brought a horrified expression to Izuku's face. The reason Shoto has picked a fight with Izuku is that he wishes to show his father that he can win the festival without using his fire ability.

Shoto leaves the area but Izuku stops him for a moment to declare that, despite his inferior motivations, he will still do his best to defeat Shoto. Katsuki secretly listens to their conversation from a distance, he waits a while until leaving as well.

"I never took you for a stalker, Bakugou." A unknown voice startles Bakugou, making him jump backwards. He was ready to blast the unknown person until he recognized him as Kaminari.

"What the hell are you doing here, sparky?" His anger is not explosive this time, Kaminari notices as much.

"At Uraraka's request, I was looking for Midoriya so we could eat. Used electroreception to locate him here and was curious to know why he was with Todoroki and you of all people, I mean, you aren't exactly bffs."

He snarls at Kaminari before continuing on his way, but Kaminari once more made him stop.

"Quite a tragic story, isn't it?" Kaminari is acting weird, as if he's trying to be snark and douchey. "I had a feeling there was more to it, I mean, the quirk is perfect, just the right amount of the best of both worlds. The perfect product of a disgusting origin." Kaminari walks alongside Bakugou, who's visibly annoyed at his presence.

"Why are you following me?" Bakugou asks.

"I don't know, maybe I'm just curious about what you think of people like us."

"I could care less about your curiosity. Leave me alone." Bakugou walks away fro Kaminari, who stands for a moment but continues to follow Bakugou.

"Of course. I should go." Kaminari walks past Bakugou.

It doesn't take long before Bakugou stops.

"What did you meant by 'us'?" Bakugou caught this by accident but it was important detail enough to intrigue him.

"What was that?"

"You said 'Just curious about what you think of people like 'us'."

Kaminari couldn't help but smirk, he looked at the sky before giving his answer.

"Let's just say... Arranged marriages aren't exclusive to rich Japanese families." Kaminari continues to walk, Bakugou still stands at the same spot.

"The reason you kept on listening... You are..." Bakugou deduces.

Kaminari looks at Bakugou and smiles before departing.

Bakugou is left with a bitter taste in his mouth, he didn't have to give more thought about it to understand what entailed. For perhaps the first time in his life, he took notice on the horrors of reality.

...

Kaminari walks to the cafeteria, he ponders about why would he disclose such personal information with Bakugou of all people. His guess was good as the next one, perhaps the Todoroki situation made him remind of his own reality. To this day he wonders if the happy marriage of his parents is a natural one, or if his father manipulated her into being a happy wife, though he never saw him doing it.

Kaminari loves his father, but won't vouch for him. His thought process is interrupted by Mineta, who pleads Kaminari for help...

...

-Kaminari's POV

After finishing lunch, I walk over to the center of the arena alongside the other students. Before announcing the next games, the attention is turned at Class 1-A girls who are dressed as cheerleaders. You see, Mineta came up with this idea and wanted me to help convince the girls. At first I wasn't gonna do it, but I just had to get back at Jirou for that punch, it was too good to pass.

Thankfully Mineta received all the blame. "Don't shoot the messenger, I was just as tricked as you were." Was what I said to them when they came at me ready to kill, although Jirou still wants to.

Present Mic explained the schedule while the main panel showed the sixteen bracket. I wonder who will be my opponents at the tournament itself. Just as Midnight is about to select it, Ojiro gives up.

I'm sad to hear this, he feels ashamed for he doesn't remember the cavalry battle. Another student from class B does the same, to have two forfeit this is a damn shame. A pat on the back and some reconforting words is all can give him for now, to show my support. Tetsutetsu and Shiozaki from class B replaced them both.

Midnight announced the matches at the panel, soon, the names were shown.

Kirishima got that Tetsutetsu guy, Yaoyorozu will be facing Tokoyami, what a bad matchup. Mina is facing Aoyama and... Christ... Uraraka got Bakugou.

As I look over I finally see my name. Shiozaki, huh? I know nothing about her or her quirk, what a shame.

...

The recreational games begin and I don't want to take part on them, gotta save the energy. The device Yaoyorozu created for me does wonders at recharging my power, a solar powered charger that connects via oral contact, I just need to bite it and wait. I'll take a nap while recharging.

...

The outside noise settled, I guess it's time for the matches, just even thinking about it gives in a rush of adrenaline, my whole body goes cold. Calm down, damn it. Walking over to the stands and meeting the rest of the class helps a little. We are waiting for the first match, Midoriya vs Shinso.

...

This Shinso guy has what I call "the most dangerous type of quirk": The one you don't see it coming. I ask Ojiro what his quirk is, as he explains it becomes clear that Midoriya allowed himself to get caught. It's gonna be a shame if he loses like this, the guy was pumped.

*FWOOOSH*

A gust of wind explodes from belo Midoriya merely inches from the being out of bounds! A collective sigh of relief comes from Class A. Without the quirk, Shinso can't handle Midoriya, who threw him out of bounds with a shoulder toss, man is a natural Judoka.

With that Midoriya advances.

...

The second match was the definition of unfairness, Sero couldn't even warm up before Todoroki encased him in a giant iceberg, so big it protuded out of the stadium, man doesn't know the concept of holding back. A big round of applause is all we can give to Sero, points for trying his best.

As we wait for the arena to get dry, I leave the stands, my match is next. The guys and girls cheer and give positive comments, it warms my heart.

...

The arena is finally dry, it's time to go.

As I walk the steps, my mind is going all over the place, I can't yet decide how I will behave here. One thing is for certain, I need to study Shiozaki before attacking. Our eyes meet, she has a stern look on her face, nevermind she reprimanded Present Mic for how he announced her as an "Assassin".

We face each other after she's done berating the announcer. My plan is set, now all that remains is finishing it.

"Ready? Staaaart!"

Let's do this!

...