After a lengthy conversation with Mei-chan, Takeru walked out of the medical wing, having entrusted his only weakness to a stranger. For some reason, the eccentric mechanic's dedication to her craft made him trust her. Besides, he had few other options. The HPSC was the source of all his support items, and they sourced theirs from I-Island. He would need a device created specifically to protect him, but for that he first needed to understand exactly what had hurt him.
He could withstand multiple sonic booms, atmospheric reentry, and a thousand other noises without discomfort. That meant there was a specific frequency that caused the damage. Takeru's quirk was classified as a mutant type because he possessed organs that normal people did not, including an extremely complex inner ear that helped him maintain balance mid-flight, allowing for precise control and acrobatics. It was that structure that had been affected by the sound attack.
Kyoka Jiro bumped into him without noticing, staring at her phone with her jacks inserted, not minding where she was going. Takeru caught her before she fell.
"Sorry, Takeru-kun, I—" she blushed in embarrassment.
Takeru smiled. "Did you hurt yourself?"
"No, I'm fine. Just a little… it's like you're made of bricks," Jiro said, smiling.
For all Takeru knew, Jiro was the only one who could produce that kind of attack. Maybe he could just—no. No, he shouldn't.
"Well, what can I say? I eat my veggies," Takeru said lightly. "Let's go check the list for the one-on-one showdown."
"Um, yeah, that's where I was heading. I got knocked out in the last minute… it was very frustrating," Jiro said, her eyes downcast.
"Well, Kendo-san used very good teamwork and leveraged Class 1-B's strengths effectively. Compared to that, I must say I'm very disappointed in our class. Todoroki and Bakugo were being lone wolves and did more damage than good. You, Izuku, Momo, and Tokoyami did better than most, so hold your chin up," Takeru said, giving her a thumbs-up.
Jiro smiled.
She's a cute little loli, Takeru thought. He had never paid much attention to her in class. Now she probably held one of the few ways to beat him.
They reached the lobby, where the large board displayed the results.
Class 1-A
Takeru Kurogane
Bakugo Katsuki
Todoroki Shoto
Midoriya Izuku
Yaoyorozu Momo
Tokoyami Fumikage
Class 1-B
Itsuka Kendo
Ibara Shiozaki
Jurota Shishida
Reiko Yanagi
Juzo Honenuki
Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu
Pony Tsunotori
Awase Yosetsu
Rin Hiryu
Manga Fukidashi
Takeru checked the matchups. Shun and Takeru had already agreed on how he would demonstrate his prowess and position himself as the future Number One. He could take them all on and still win with one hand behind his back.
Takeru Kurogane vs Ibara Shiozaki
Ibara—the religious girl with vine hair. Takeru would have to be extra careful and appear as gentle and heroic as possible. A seven-foot mountain of muscle punching an innocent high school girl would be disastrous for PR. He would have to dispatch her with flair and make it look as non-violent as possible.
Takeru looked at the other matchups and winced when he saw Kendo.
Itsuka Kendo vs Bakugo Katsuki
Kendo had grown by leaps and bounds in tactical thinking and technique, but Bakugo was an entirely different problem. Both at mid and close range, where Kendo was strongest, Bakugo was still stronger, and his quirk gave him mobility and ranged options that Kendo could not hope to match—especially with the support item he had given her not being allowed during the festival.
Jiro wished him luck and went to the spectator stands as Takeru headed toward the waiting room to find Kendo. Nejire was already there, helping Kendo warm up. As he walked in, Kendo gave him a tired smile, and Nejire flew in for a hug and a kiss.
"Kendo, you should—"
Kendo stepped forward and placed her fingers on his lips. "I know how strong Bakugo-san is. I know I'm at a disadvantage. But this is my fight, Takeru. I may not be as strong or as fast as you, but I am a hero as well. I love you, but this is my fight," she said, her resolve absolute.
Takeru sighed and hugged her. "I know. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disrespect you. You did splendidly in the free-for-all—you wiped out half my class."
Kendo chuckled.
Takeru kissed her forehead and exhaled slowly. "I'm not going to watch. I don't trust myself not to fly in and punch Bakugo in the face. You're a hero, but it's hard for a man to stand by and watch his girl get hurt."
Kendo pouted. "I'm the one who's going to be doing the hurting."
"Sure," Takeru said.
He hugged both of them and left them to their preparations, heading off to prepare for his own fight.
The first match of the finals was announced with a roar that echoed through the stadium. All matches and events were, of course, open to betting, and Takeru shamelessly placed bets using his insider knowledge to secure the best odds—naturally betting on himself. He was not going to take a fall or do anything illegal, just something highly unethical for a hero to be involved in. Takeru believed there was no such thing as having too much money.
"ALRIIIGHT, FOLKS!" Present Mic shouted as the cameras swept across the arena. "WE'RE KICKING OFF THE FINALS WITH A HEAVY HITTER! CLASS 1-A'S POWERHOUSE, TAKERU KUROGANE, TAKES ON CLASS 1-B'S IBARA SHIOZAKI!"
Takeru flew a lap around the stadium, soaring high into the sky before landing in a perfect superhero pose that shattered the concrete beneath him. The crowd fell silent for a second before erupting into enthusiastic cheers at the display of power. Across from him, Ibara Shiozaki walked forward with her hands clasped together, vine-like hair swaying gently as she murmured a quiet prayer under her breath. She stopped at her mark, opened her eyes, and looked straight at him without fear.
Aizawa's voice cut in, measured and observant. "Shiozaki excels at area control and restraint. But she is the underdog for a reason. Kurogane absolutely dominates in speed, strength, and durability. This is his fight to lose if he underestimates her."
The horn blared as Midnight waved her flag.
Ibara moved first. Vines erupted from her hair and arms in a sweeping motion, surging across the ground like living ropes as she advanced. "May divine judgment guide my hands," she said firmly as the vines lunged for Takeru's legs and torso.
He did not dodge. The vines wrapped around him instantly, tightening with visible force as more followed, layering over one another until his arms were pinned to his sides and his upper body was encased in a living cocoon.
"OHHH! STRAIGHT INTO THE BIND!" Present Mic yelled. "SHIOZAKI ISN'T WASTING ANY TIME!"
Ibara pressed her palms together again, and the vines constricted, lifting Takeru off the ground and slamming him down hard. The impact cracked the arena floor beneath him, but he did not struggle. He simply let it happen, standing absolutely unfazed, allowing the cameras to capture the full force of her technique.
She raised her hands, and the vines responded, driving him into the ground again and again, each strike precise and deliberate. "REPENT," she declared as the vines tightened once more.
From the stands, murmurs spread through the crowd as spectators wondered whether this would be the moment Takeru finally fought back. Aizawa narrowed his eyes. "He's letting this happen."
Takeru finally moved.
The vines around his chest snapped as he flexed his arms outward, muscle and strength tearing through the bindings with a sound like rubber bands snapping. He rose to his feet slowly, the remnants of the vines falling away as if they had simply failed to hold him.
"Kurogane is absolutely unharmed!" Present Mic exclaimed incredulously. "HE JUST PULLED HIMSELF FREE IN A DISPLAY OF BRUTE STRENGTH!"
Ibara's eyes widened, but she did not retreat. More vines surged forward, wrapping around his arms, his waist, even his neck. Takeru reached up, grabbed a handful of vines, and pulled. Ibara was taken by surprise by the strength and speed with which she was yanked across the arena toward her massive opponent, who caught her midair.
"You have excellent control," he said sincerely. "You will make a great hero, Shiozaki-san."
With practiced precision, he redirected her vines, wrapping them back around her arms and legs in a clean reversal. In a matter of seconds, Ibara was bound into a ball of her own vines. Before she could protest, Takeru lifted her effortlessly, flew to the edge of the arena, and gently set her out of bounds.
The siren blared.
"IBARA SHIOZAKI IS OUT!" Present Mic shouted. "AND WHAT A SHOW OF STRENGTH AND CONTROL FROM KUGOGANE!"
Takeru stepped back from the edge and gave her a respectful nod. Ibara, still bound, closed her eyes and bowed her head in return. "May your path remain just," she said softly. Takeru thanked her again, cut her free from the bindings, and bowed to the jubilant crowd.
Eat it up, you bastards, he thought.
In the pro hero viewing room, Endeavor watched in silence, his arms crossed tightly over his chest. The display of raw strength and absolute control unsettled him. Kurogane had allowed the girl to showcase her quirk before finishing the fight, all while preserving her dignity. It was something All Might would have done.
Endeavor had sacrificed everything to mold Shoto into a weapon that combined ice and fire, driven by obsession and rivalry. Now he was watching a boy who possessed power that eclipsed even his prodigal son. Had All Might done the same? Had he found a woman with a flight quirk and bred the perfect hero to inherit his mantle? Endeavor's heart burned with envy and rage at the thought of being surpassed yet again.
The door slid open behind him.
All Might entered with his usual broad smile. "Endeavor! I was hoping we could talk about training the next generation—"
Endeavor didn't look away from the screen. "That boy," he said sharply. "Kurogane. He's yours, isn't he?"
All Might blinked. "Huh?"
"Your son," Endeavor said, flames flaring along his eyebrows. "That kind of power doesn't come from nowhere. It's all over the internet. Don't lie!"
There was a beat of silence.
Then All Might burst out laughing.
"HAHAHA! Oh, that's rich!" he said, wiping a tear from his eye. "You know, he asked me the exact same thing once—about another young man!"
Endeavor turned slowly, fury written across his face. "You're mocking me."
"No, no," All Might said, still chuckling.
Endeavor's jaw tightened. Without another word, he turned and stormed out of the room, flames trailing behind him.
"UP NEXT!" Present Mic shouted. "CLASS 1-B'S CLASS PRESIDENT, ITSUKA KENDO, VERSUS CLASS 1-A'S EXPLOSIVE ACE—KATSUKI BAKUGO!"
Takeru leaned forward the moment Kendo stepped into the arena, eyes narrowed in concentration. Neijre saw his tenseness and gently rubbed his back.
Kendo inhaled slowly, eyes sharp and focused. Across from her, Bakugo rolled his shoulders as sparks snapped from his palms, a feral grin spreading across his face.
Aizawa's calm voice cut in. "Kendo is outmatched in raw power and mobility. Her only path forward is control and misdirection."
The horn sounded.
Bakugo exploded forward, tearing through the air. Kendo sidestepped and slammed her enlarged fist into the ground, throwing debris into his path and forcing him to adjust mid-flight. She rushed in as he landed, striking his forearm and knocking him off balance.
"SMART MOVE!" Present Mic yelled. "KENDO IS KEEPING HIM GROUNDED!"
Bakugo laughed as he blasted backward. "NOT BAD! MAN HANDS !"
Kendo pressed the advantage, feinting and baiting explosions, slipping just inside their blast radius. She landed a heavy body shot that drove the air from Bakugo's lungs, earning a roar from the crowd.
Takeru's jaw clenched as he saw the fight heat up. Nejire placed a hand over his, squeezing gently. "She's doing great," she murmured.
Bakugo wiped blood from his mouth, eyes gleaming. "Good ! BUT NOT ENOUGH! "
He shifted tactics, detonating the ground beneath Kendo instead of targeting her directly. The sudden loss of footing gave him his opening.
Bakugo rocketed down from above, unleashing a concentrated blast at close range. Kendo crossed her arms and took it head-on, skidding toward the arena edge. She dug in and swung with everything she had left, clipping Bakugo and forcing him back.
Breathing hard, she smiled. "I'm not done."
Bakugo answered with a brutal explosion from behind. The shockwave lifted Kendo and hurled her out of bounds.
The siren blared.
"KENDO IS OUT!" Present Mic announced. "BAKUGO KATSUKI ADVANCES!"
Kendo lay still for a moment, then pushed herself up, bruised but smiling. Bakugo turned away without a word.
Takeru finally exhaled as Nejire leaned into his shoulder. From the arena floor, Kendo looked up and gave him a confident thumbs-up, He gave her a proud smile.