At this time, Uraraka Ochaco took advantage of Bakugo and Midoriya holding Akira back and quickly began climbing toward the simulated nuclear weapon.
But reality was harsh. Before she could reach the top, the giant hand formed from sand she was climbing on started to collapse.
"What's happening?" Ochaco panicked, immediately activating her Quirk, "Zero Gravity," to lighten herself and avoid being crushed under the collapsing sand.
She floated down safely, clapping her hands together and whispering, "Release," to restore her weight as she landed near Midoriya.
Now, standing beside him, she could finally understand why Midoriya was so certain of their impending defeat.
His warnings weren't exaggerations—they were facts.
"All three of us together... and we still can't touch him," Ochaco muttered, breaking the tense silence.
"He's not just strong; his control over his Quirk is flawless," Midoriya replied, his tone heavy with realization.
Bakugo, standing nearby, clenched his fists. The earlier battle still played out vividly in his mind.
"No... It's not just his Quirk," Bakugo muttered, his voice uncharacteristically subdued. "That guy knows how to use his raw strength, too. His timing, his precision... everything's insane."
Midoriya blinked, slightly shocked to hear Bakugo acknowledge Akira's skills so openly.
Akira stood a few meters away, watching them with a faint smile. The battle had gone as expected. While he hoped this training would push his limits, it seemed his opponents weren't quite there yet.
Sighing, he took a step forward, preparing to end the fight.
Before he could, Bakugo unexpectedly spoke up.
"I give up."
The words stunned everyone.
"Eh?!" Midoriya and Ochaco turned to Bakugo, their faces filled with disbelief.
"Don't you get it?" Bakugo growled. "The gap between us and him is massive. There's no point in continuing. We've already lost!"
His voice rose, frustration and bitterness clear in every word.
Midoriya hesitated before nodding solemnly. "I understand... I surrender too."
"M-Me as well!" Ochaco stammered, following suit.
At that moment, a figure dropped from the sky, landing in front of them with a thunderous impact.
"Young Kitagawa, you're truly impressive! Your strength is extraordinary!" All Might's voice boomed, his trademark smile wide and approving.
Then, he turned to the trio.
"And you three, admitting defeat when the odds are overwhelming is not a sign of weakness. It's a lesson in humility and strategy. As future heroes, you'll face challenges where retreating and regrouping is the smarter choice."
All Might's gaze swept over the rest of the class watching from a distance.
"This applies to everyone. Being a hero isn't just about power—it's about knowing when to push forward and when to hold back!"
He turned back to Akira, nodding.
"The winner of this round is Kitagawa Akira from the villain group!"
All Might paused for a moment before continuing. "As for the hero team, reflect on your performance and learn from it. There's always room to grow!"
With that, All Might declared the end of the first round and prepared for the next match.
---
The rest of the training exercises proceeded quickly. As expected, Akira continued to be the star of the day.
Shoto Todoroki also stood out in his match, becoming another focus of attention. His ice-based Quirk and calm demeanor left a strong impression on the class.
By the end of the session, a few names dominated the conversation: Akira, Todoroki, Midoriya, Bakugo, and Tokoyami.
Among them, Akira and Todoroki had performances that even exceeded All Might's expectations.
However, Bakugo's mood soured further after witnessing Todoroki's abilities.
The realization hit him hard—Akira wasn't the only one stronger than him. Todoroki's display of power made Bakugo question his own abilities.
---
After the final match, All Might handed over the rest of the day's activities to Aizawa, who stepped in to address the class.
"Good work today," Aizawa began, his tone as monotone as ever. "Thankfully, most of you only suffered minor injuries during this exercise."
The students visibly relaxed, glad their efforts were acknowledged.
"But don't get ahead of yourselves," Aizawa continued, his sharp gaze sweeping over them. "There's always room for improvement. Some of you showed exceptional skill, while others have glaring weaknesses to address."
His eyes landed on Akira.
"And Kitagawa... demolishing an entire building? Was that really necessary?"
Akira scratched the back of his head, smiling sheepishly. "It was the most efficient strategy."
Aizawa sighed, muttering under his breath, "Efficient, huh..." before turning back to the rest of the class.
"Regardless, take what you've learned today and apply it. Being a hero is about adapting, growing, and overcoming your limits. Dismissed."
With that, the students left, each deep in thought about the battles they had faced and the lessons they had learned.