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Chapter 17 - chapter 17 Joint Training Arc

Screen 1 – Joint Training Begins

U.A. High announces a joint combat training exercise between Class 1-A and Class 1-B, designed to test teamwork and measure how much each student has grown.

The training arena is packed with tension.

Pro Heroes oversee the exercise — Eraser Head, Present Mic, and All Might among them.

Present Mic grins from the booth.

"THIS IS A TEAM BATTLE! SHOW US WHAT YOU'VE GOT!"

Ben cracks his knuckles, the Omnitrix glowing faintly on his wrist.

"Alright… let's go."

Screen 2 – Rules of the Match

The format is simple, but intense.

Four vs four team battles inside a simulated city.

The objective is clear:

capture or incapacitate the opposing team.

Aizawa's voice echoes through the arena.

"This isn't about raw power. It's about teamwork, awareness, and adaptability."

As teams are announced and gates begin to open, the tension rises.

This isn't just a class exercise anymore.

Rivalries resurface.

Strategies form.

Egos are tested.

Ben rolls his shoulders, eyes sharp, Omnitrix steady on his wrist.

"Alright," he says calmly. "I'm ready."

The gates slide open.

The joint training officially begins.

Screen 3 – Match 1 Begins

Ben activates the Omnitrix.

Click.

Green light flashes — Brainstorm emerges, electricity crackling as his mind shifts into overdrive.

"Alright," Ben mutters, eyes glowing. "Let's see how they think."

Brainstorm quickly analyzes the simulated city — sightlines, choke points, movement patterns.

He feeds rapid callouts to his team, trying to predict Class 1-B's next move.

But Class 1-B moves first.

They don't rush.

They coordinate.

Signals, bait tactics, layered positioning — every move is calculated.

Even as Brainstorm charges up and counters plans in real time, 1-B adapts faster than expected.

A coordinated feint pulls 1-A out of formation.

Another teammate strikes from behind.

One by one, 1-A is captured.

The buzzer sounds.

Winner: Class 1-B.

The arena goes quiet for a moment.

Aizawa nods.

"Good coordination. Excellent use of teamwork."

Ben exhales as he reverts to human form.

"…Yeah. They earned that."

The message is clear to everyone watching:

Class 1-B is not weaker than Class 1-A.

Screen 4 – Match 2

The second match kicks off, and the atmosphere shifts immediately.

Class 1-A moves with confidence this time — tighter spacing, clearer roles.

From the shadows between buildings, Tokoyami steps forward.

Dark Shadow emerges, calm and controlled, even under the bright artificial lights.

Class 1-B tries to pressure him early.

It doesn't work.

Dark Shadow moves precisely, blocking routes, pinning opponents, and forcing them into bad positions without losing control.

Ben watches for half a second, then grins.

"Yeah… that's the Tokoyami I like."

He slams the Omnitrix.

Click.

Green light erupts — Four Arms lands beside Tokoyami with a heavy thud.

"You control the field," Four Arms says. "I'll break it."

They move together.

Dark Shadow restrains and redirects.

Four Arms charges in, overwhelming defenses with raw strength and clean takedowns — no wasted motion, no reckless swings.

One opponent goes down.

Then another.

Class 1-B tries to regroup, but it's too late.

Tokoyami closes the trap, Dark Shadow wrapping the last opponent in place.

The buzzer sounds.

Winner: Class 1-A.

Present Mic cheers from the booth.

"THAT'S GROWTH, BABY!"

Aizawa nods slightly.

"Tokoyami's control has improved dramatically."

Ben reverts to human form and gives Tokoyami a thumbs-up.

"Training camp paid off."

Tokoyami bows his head.

"…It did."

The score is even now.

And both classes know this isn't just practice anymore.

Screen 5 – Match 3

The third match begins with immediate pressure.

Class 1-B moves aggressively, but with discipline.

Tetsutetsu charges head-on, steel body tanking attacks without slowing.

Kendo commands the field, calling shots and directing teammates with sharp timing.

Ben activates the Omnitrix.

Click.

Green light flashes — Diamondhead forms, crystal armor shining under the arena lights.

"Alright," Diamondhead says calmly. "Let's do this the smart way."

He creates crystal walls and platforms, setting cover and escape routes for his team.

For a moment, 1-A holds steady through teamwork.

But Todoroki steps forward — and tries to end it alone.

Ice floods the street.

Fire follows.

Big power. Big impact.

And bad positioning.

Kendo reads it instantly.

She redirects Tetsutetsu straight through the opening.

Diamondhead blocks, crystals cracking under the force.

Ben adjusts, but the formation is already broken.

One by one, 1-A is captured.

The buzzer sounds.

Winner: Class 1-B.

Silence hangs in the arena.

Aizawa speaks evenly.

"Todoroki relied on power instead of coordination."

Ben reverts to human form, exhaling.

He looks at Todoroki, not angry — just honest.

"You lost this match," Ben says.

"Not because you're weak.

Because you tried to win alone."

Todoroki clenches his fist.

"…I know."

Ben adds, half-smiling but serious,

"Don't worry. I'll catch you up later.

Class 1-B just reminded us how teamwork actually works."

The score tips again.

And the lesson lands harder than any attack.

Screen 6 – Match 4: The Turning Point

The fourth match begins under heavy tension.

Both classes know this one matters.

Midoriya moves carefully, coordinating with his team, analyzing every angle.

Ben taps the Omnitrix.

Click.

A radiant flash — Chromastone forms, crystal body glowing with contained energy.

"Energy control and defense," Ben says calmly. "Perfect for this."

Class 1-B advances — but it's a trick.

They split, baiting Chromastone into absorbing scattered energy attacks from multiple angles.

Chromastone absorbs them easily.

Too easily.

"…Wait," Ben mutters. "That's not right."

Suddenly, something snaps on the other side of the field.

---

Blackwhip Awakens

Midoriya gasps as black tendrils explode from his arms, tearing through buildings and streets.

"What—?! I didn't—!"

The battlefield descends into chaos.

Structures collapse. Students scatter.

Ben turns sharply.

"Deku!"

Chromastone rushes to shield teammates, creating crystal barriers to stop debris.

But Midoriya can't control it. Blackwhip lashes wildly, driven by raw emotion.

Aizawa shouts from the booth.

"That Quirk… that's not super strength!"

---

Shinso Steps In

Before things spiral further, a calm voice cuts through the panic.

"Midoriya."

Midoriya turns instinctively.

Shinso's eyes lock onto his.

"You okay?"

The Brainwashing activates.

Midoriya freezes mid-motion.

The tendrils collapse.

Silence falls.

Chromastone lowers his guard, light dimming slightly.

"…Good timing," Ben says.

---

Truth Revealed

Medics rush in. The match is stopped.

Present Mic announces the result, stunned.

"MATCH FOUR… IS A DRAW."

All Might stares in shock.

So does Aizawa.

"One For All," Aizawa says slowly, "contains more than one Quirk."

Midoriya trembles, terrified and confused.

"I didn't know… I swear I didn't know."

Ben reverts to human form and places a hand on Midoriya's shoulder.

"You're not broken," he says quietly.

"You're just… more complicated than you thought."

Class 1-B watches in silence, realizing they didn't just trick Chromastone —

they witnessed the beginning of something far bigger.

This match doesn't end with victory or defeat.

It ends with a revelation that changes everything.

Screen 7 – Match 5 (Final Match)

The final gates open.

Tension hangs heavy in the simulated city.

Bakugo steps forward — calm. Focused.

No shouting. No reckless charge.

"We move together," he says sharply. "I'll take point. You cover. No screwups."

Everyone freezes for half a second.

Then they nod.

Ben glances at him, surprised — then smirks.

"About time."

He slams the Omnitrix.

Click.

Green light erupts as Humungousaur lands with a thunderous impact.

---

Perfect Coordination

Bakugo doesn't rush ahead.

He directs.

"Ben, left flank. Cut off escape."

"Kirishima, guard the rear."

"Sero, bind on my signal."

Humungousaur moves exactly when told — smashing through obstacles, not opponents, controlling space without overcommitting.

Class 1-B tries to counter.

It fails.

Bakugo anticipates every move, using explosions for mobility and positioning, not ego.

Each command is sharp.

Each action is precise.

---

Clean Victory

Humungousaur pins the final opponent without excess force.

Bakugo lands beside him, arm raised, explosions fading.

The buzzer sounds.

Winner: Class 1-A.

The arena goes silent — then erupts.

Present Mic shouts,

"THAT WAS TEXTBOOK LEADERSHIP!"

Aizawa watches closely.

"…Bakugo didn't waste a single move."

All Might's eyes widen.

"That was… incredible. He led them perfectly."

Ben reverts to human form and looks at Bakugo.

"Clean win," he says. "No excuses."

Bakugo exhales, fists unclenching.

"Tch. Took long enough."

For the first time,

no one doubts it.

Bakugo Katsuki didn't just win.

He led — and proved he's ready for what comes next.

Be continued

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