Thirty minutes sounds short, but if you convert it to 1,800,000 milliseconds, it starts to feel even shorter. Well, in reality, it's barely enough time to grab a quick drink or use the restroom. During the break, Kaminari didn't really chat with Kyoka, Momo, or the others. His mood had soured after the encounter with Endeavor, and he was still processing the interaction.
The more he thought about it, the more he grudgingly acknowledged that Endeavor's words had a point. In a world where superpowers were tied to physical attributes, there might not be a clear "hierarchy" like in fantasy novels, but everyone knew that some Quirks started out stronger than others. A child born with a flame that could incinerate buildings was, in pure potential, a step ahead of someone with a weaker fire-based Quirk.
It was a reality that stung. No matter how much he trained, he couldn't ignore the advantage that Todoroki's heritage gave him. And Endeavor's words only served to highlight that difference.
But knowing this didn't make it any less infuriating. Kaminari wasn't one to back down just because of someone else's "noble lineage." If anything, it pushed him to fight harder.
"Kaminari?"
He was jolted out of his thoughts by Kyoka nudging him. "The match is starting," she said, pointing down at the arena.
He looked over the railing just in time to see Tetsutetsu and Bakugo facing each other. Tetsutetsu stood with a calm expression, though there was a flicker of tension in his eyes.
Kaminari narrowed his eyes. Facing Bakugo's relentless aggression, Tetsutetsu's judo skills wouldn't be much help here. So, what's your plan, Tetsutetsu?
As Present Mic's voice boomed, the match began.
"Start!"
With the shout of "Start!", Bakugo immediately sprang forward, launching himself toward Tetsutetsu like a beast unleashed, his palms crackling with explosive force.
Tetsutetsu didn't say a word in response. He hardened his body, his skin turning to steel, and met Bakugo's charge head-on. All of his focus was trained on his opponent.
What followed was an intense exchange in the middle of the arena. Tetsutetsu, completely abandoning the judo he'd trained in, relied solely on his strength. He swung his iron-clad legs with brutal force, each kick backed by raw power. Bakugo, meanwhile, used smaller explosions to deflect or dodge Tetsutetsu's strikes, but he was clearly struggling against Tetsutetsu's iron defenses.
"Boom!"
"Boom!"
Each clash sent shockwaves through the stadium. Tetsutetsu's kicks were powerful enough to make Bakugo backpedal, each impact ringing out as metal met force.
Bakugo's usual explosions aren't enough to get through Tetsutetsu's iron defense, Kaminari realized, watching the battle unfold. In terms of sheer physical power, Tetsutetsu's leg strength is formidable.
Bakugo was starting to realize this as well. Every time he tried to get close, Tetsutetsu would swing his legs with enough power to force him back. Bakugo's explosions were leaving superficial damage at best, but they weren't stopping his opponent.
"Looks like I'll need something bigger if I want to bring him down!" Bakugo thought, his mind already working out his next move.
Without warning, Bakugo fired an explosion behind himself, launching into the air above Tetsutetsu.
Tetsutetsu's eyes widened in shock as he looked up.
"Die, you iron bastard!" Bakugo shouted, his expression twisted with intensity. He raised both hands, palms facing down toward Tetsutetsu.
The audience collectively held their breath as Bakugo brought his hands together, readying his signature move.
"Flashbang!"
In a blinding flash of light, Bakugo's combined explosions created a flare that momentarily turned the entire arena white. Tetsutetsu's vision was overwhelmed, and he instinctively staggered, momentarily blinded.
"Perfect," Bakugo muttered, dropping down toward his opponent with a cruel grin. "Now take this—"
Bakugo's palms, now inches from Tetsutetsu, sparked with an intense charge, prepared for a devastating explosion.
"Kaminari!!!" Kyoka exclaimed, noticing Kaminari's stricken expression as he realized what was about to happen.
"That move…" Kaminari stood abruptly, dread creeping up his spine. "If that connects…"
From his spot against the wall, Todoroki's eyes narrowed as well. "If Bakugo lands that, Tetsutetsu could be seriously hurt," he muttered, concern flashing across his face.
Present Mic's voice was panicked. "Bakugo, don't—! Stop him!"
But before the teachers could react, Bakugo's Howitzer Impact had already fired.
"HOWITZER IMPACT!"
A thunderous explosion engulfed the area, sending a massive shockwave throughout the stadium. Debris and smoke filled the air, obscuring everything from view.
Kaminari watched with clenched fists, his mind racing. With the Flashbang, Tetsutetsu wouldn't have been able to see or react in time… Did he get caught in that blast?
The crowd was silent, holding their breath as the smoke began to clear, slowly revealing the aftermath of Bakugo's attack.
But as the last remnants of smoke faded, what they saw left everyone in stunned disbelief.
There, standing amidst the rubble, was Tetsutetsu—completely unharmed. Somehow, he'd managed to avoid the brunt of the attack, standing in a different spot from where he had been just moments before. Bakugo, meanwhile, was on the ground, panting heavily, his arms trembling from the effort.
"H-How?" Bakugo muttered, staring at Tetsutetsu in shock.
The teachers, too, were dumbfounded. Cementoss, Midnight, and Vlad King stood frozen, unable to comprehend what they were seeing.
"How did he dodge that?" Present Mic yelled, disbelief clear in his voice.
Even Aizawa was taken aback, squinting down at Tetsutetsu. "What… happened?"
Kaminari, however, had an idea. A bold, impossible thought crossed his mind, but he couldn't shake it. "Could he have…?"
***
Bonus for 500PS
For every 500 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on patreon to read 40+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/Blownleaves.