**Chapter 3: The Entrance Exam**
Natsu inhaled deeply, feeling the cool autumn breeze ruffle his pink hair gently. The calm air contrasted with the tense atmosphere as a large crowd of participants stood around him, all gathered before the massive gates of Zone B, which had just swung open. The air was thick with anticipation. Every participant wore a serious expression—these next ten minutes would determine their futures.
"[Begin now!]"
The signal rang out, and participants from all zones, including Zone B, surged forward as the countdown began. The students rushed into the testing area, prepared to face the robotic enemies that awaited them.
Yet, Natsu remained rooted in place, bouncing lightly from his right foot to his left, his body loose and agile as he casually warmed up. His relaxed movements stood in stark contrast to the frenzied dash of the others, who looked at him with confusion, wondering why he would waste precious time with such an unserious demeanor.
The sounds of battle soon erupted all around as explosions and clashing metal echoed across Zone B. The fights had begun in earnest. Natsu, however, only opened his eyes, a broad grin spreading across his face as flames sparked to life beneath his feet.
"Alright, time to have some fun!" he exclaimed.
*Whoosh!*
In a burst of fire and speed, Natsu launched himself forward, flames propelling him like a jet engine. His first sight upon soaring into the fray was Midoriya, standing frozen against a wall, a three-point robot steadily advancing toward him. Without hesitation, Natsu twisted in midair, planting his hands on the ground as he neared the robot. His feet, now blazing, came crashing down like a fiery hammer from above.
*Crash!*
*Boom!*
The robot exploded in a flash of fire and metal, disintegrating under the intense impact. Natsu landed, standing tall, the flames around his feet growing brighter. With a playful smirk, he turned to Midoriya and teased, "What are you doing? If you stay frozen like that, you'll fail, idiot."
*Whoosh!*
In an instant, Natsu was gone again, the force of his leap blowing Midoriya's green hair back. The comment shook Midoriya to his core, making him clench his fists. Determined not to let his training with All Might go to waste, he pushed himself to move forward.
Meanwhile, Natsu spotted six robots floating eerily in the sky. With a quick glance, his stomach puffed up, his cheeks swelling with heat. The flames around his feet disappeared, only to burst from his mouth in a torrent of fire.
"Fire Dragon's Roar!"
The six airborne robots were engulfed in flames, and within moments, they exploded, filling the sky with thick, black smoke. Watching from a distance, Uraraka's eyes widened in disbelief. She turned toward Natsu, her voice rising in frustration, "Hey, what are you doing?! Those were easy points for me!"
Realizing what she meant, Natsu chuckled, a competitive gleam in his eyes. "Well, better smash them faster next time, because I'll steal more if you don't. See you around, Float Girl!"
*Whoosh!*
With another burst of flames, Natsu launched himself toward another group of robots, leaving Uraraka standing in place, fuming. "Float Girl?" she muttered in disbelief.
In the next moment, Natsu zeroed in on a two-point robot, ready to destroy it. However, before he could reach it, Iida shot past him like a speeding motorcycle, delivering a powerful kick to the robot and dismantling it instantly. Natsu skidded to a halt, watching the scene unfold with a look of surprise.
"No hard feelings," Iida said calmly, adjusting his glasses. "This is a test, after all. The first to strike wins."
A grin spread across Natsu's face. "Looks like you're not just a bookworm after all."
With every passing second, the exam grew more intense. Explosions filled the air as the students fiercely competed, each vying for the highest score.
In the control room overlooking the exam arenas, the principal of UA Academy sat calmly, surrounded by instructors, including All Might. The principal spoke softly, yet confidently, "Our stars are beginning to shine. Some of them are already showing us they have what it takes. But the real test begins now..."
He pressed a large red button, and suddenly, all six zones—from A to F—began to shake violently.
---
In Zone B, the tremors caused the ground to heave. The students stopped in their tracks, their eyes wide with confusion and fear. The air was thick with questions as they tried to understand what was happening. The answer soon became clear.
Towering above the buildings, a Zero-Point Robot emerged. Its massive form cast a long, ominous shadow across the battlefield. Its mechanical arm swung with terrifying force, slamming into a nearby building, sending debris and dust cascading to the ground. The sight of the devastation sent the students fleeing in panic. This robot was different from the others—larger, more powerful, and, most importantly, worth no points.
Natsu stood his ground, watching the giant robot with a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek. A grin tugged at his lips. "Well... this wasn't part of the plan."
Behind him, Midoriya was crawling across the ground, desperately trying to escape the chaos. His breath caught in his throat when he heard a voice—a cry for help. Turning, his eyes went wide with shock as he saw Uraraka trapped beneath a pile of rubble.
The situation had just taken a dark turn, and the real battle was about to begin.