U.A. Stadium - Semifinal 2
"AND NOW FOR OUR SECOND
SEMIFINAL MATCH!" Present Mic's voice boomed across the repaired arena.
"TOKOYAMI FUMIKAGE VERSUS BAKUGO KATSUKI!"
The crowd roared with anticipation, still buzzing from the devastating display they'd witnessed between the Todoroki brothers.
Tokoyami stood on one side of the arena, Dark Shadow already manifested, its eyes gleaming with anticipation. On the other side, Bakugo grinned with feral excitement, explosions already crackling around his palms.
"BEGIN!"
Tokoyami launched Dark Shadow forward immediately, the sentient quirk's massive form rushing toward Bakugo with overwhelming power.
Bakugo met it head-on.
Explosion after explosion, each blast pushing Dark Shadow back slightly. At first, it seemed like Tokoyami had the advantage Dark Shadow was powerful, its range keeping Bakugo at a distance.
But then Bakugo noticed something.
Each time his explosions lit up the arena, Dark Shadow flinched. Weakened slightly. The bright light from the blasts was affecting the shadow entity.
Bakugo's grin widened with understanding.
"So that's your weakness!" he roared, increasing the frequency of his explosions.
The arena lit up like a strobe light as Bakugo unleashed blast after blast, not for damage but for illumination. Dark Shadow grew smaller, weaker, unable to maintain its form under the constant brightness.
Tokoyami tried to adapt, to pull Dark Shadow back and fight differently, but it was too late. He'd been put in a losing position.
Within minutes, Bakugo had driven Tokoyami to the edge of the ring and blasted him out of bounds with a final explosive burst.
"BAKUGO KATSUKI WINS!" Midnight announced. "HE ADVANCES TO THE FINALS!"
The crowd cheered. Bakugo stood in the center of the arena, his chest heaving, his red eyes blazing as he turned toward the tunnel.
'Ice Prince,' he thought, his grin sharpening. 'Finally. No more extras. No more warm-ups. Just you and me.'
The stadium buzzed with excited conversation as workers repaired the arena once more and the finalists prepared for the ultimate match.
In the preparation room, Tsubaki sat with his eyes closed, his breathing steady and controlled. His body ached from the fight with Shoto not from injury, but from the sheer amount of quirk usage, the mental strain of controlling ice on that level.
But he was ready.
'One more match. One more victory. And it's over.'
His blue eyes opened, sharp and focused.
'Bakugo Katsuki. Explosive. Aggressive. Talented despite his personality. He's earned his place in this final.'
A smile touched his lips.
'But so have I. And only one of us can stand at the top.'
In another preparation room, Bakugo was shadowboxing, his explosions creating small bursts of light and sound with each punch.
"Finally," he muttered, his grin never fading. "No more half-assed opponents. No more people holding back. Just me versus Ice Prince at full strength."
His red eyes gleamed with anticipation.
"I'm gonna blast him so hard everyone forgets he even made it this far. First place is MINE!"
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" Present Mic's voice reached new heights of enthusiasm. "THE MOMENT WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR! THE FINALS OF THE U.A. SPORTS FESTIVAL!"
The crowd's response was deafening.
"FROM THE LEFT TUNNEL! THE STUDENT WHO PLACED FIRST IN EVERY SINGLE EVENT! THE CLASS PRESIDENT WHO DECLARED HE WOULD WIN AND BACKED IT UP EVERY STEP OF THE WAY! TODOROKI TSUBAKI!"
Tsubaki emerged from the tunnel, and the stadium erupted. His white hair caught the light, his blue eyes calm and focused as he walked toward the center of the arena. His posture was relaxed but ready, confidence radiating from every step.
"AND FROM THE RIGHT TUNNEL! THE EXPLOSIVE POWERHOUSE WHO'S BLASTED THROUGH EVERY OPPONENT WITH OVERWHELMING FORCE! BAKUGO KATSUKI!"
Bakugo walked onto the field with confident, aggressive strides. His grin was feral, his eyes locked on Tsubaki with absolute focus. Explosions crackled around his palms like eager promises of violence.
The two finalists met at the center of the arena, facing Midnight who stood between them with her whip raised.
The contrast was striking Tsubaki's cold, controlled presence versus Bakugo's explosive, barely contained fury.
"FIGHTERS READY?" Midnight called out.
Both nodded, neither breaking eye contact.
"THEN... BEGIN!"
Bakugo moved first.
Explosions erupted from his palms, launching him forward with incredible speed. His fist drew back, already crackling with power—
Tsubaki's ice formed a barrier—
Bakugo blasted through it without slowing, the explosion shattering the ice into harmless fragments.
'No defensive bullshit!' Bakugo thought, his grin widening. 'I'm coming straight at you!'
His attack came fast and fierce, explosions propelling him in unpredictable patterns. Left, right, up, spiraling—he moved like a missile with a mind of its own, each explosion precise and controlled despite their overwhelming power.
Tsubaki dodged, his movements fluid as he created ice platforms to launch himself away from Bakugo's trajectory. But Bakugo was relentless, adjusting mid-flight with additional explosions, staying on target.
An explosion caught the edge of Tsubaki's ice platform, shattering it. Tsubaki fell, twisted mid-air, created another platform below him—
Bakugo was already there.
"GOTCHA!"
An explosion at point-blank range forced Tsubaki to create an ice shield. The blast knocked him back, his feet sliding across the arena floor.
The crowd went wild.
"BAKUGO'S NOT HOLDING ANYTHING BACK!" Present Mic screamed. "HE'S GOING FULL OUT FROM THE START!"
"Smart strategy," Aizawa noted. "He knows Todoroki's control is exceptional. Going on the offensive immediately doesn't give him time to set up defenses."
Tsubaki's eyes narrowed, genuine focus showing through his cold mask.
'He's fast. Faster than I expected. And those explosions aren't just powerful—they're precise. He's using them for mobility, offense, and to destroy my constructs all at once.'
Ice formed around Tsubaki—not barriers this time, but weapons. Sharp spears that shot toward Bakugo from multiple angles.
Bakugo spun mid-air, explosions destroying the ice spears before they could reach him. He used the explosions' recoil to change direction, diving toward Tsubaki with his palm extended.
"DIE!"
Another explosion, close enough that Tsubaki felt the heat wash over him. He created an ice ramp beneath his feet, sliding backward while forming ice chains that shot toward Bakugo's position.
The chains wrapped around Bakugo's arm—
He blasted them apart with a roar of defiance.
"THAT ICE SHIT WON'T WORK ON ME!"
They clashed again and again, neither able to land a decisive blow. Bakugo's explosions were powerful enough to shatter Tsubaki's ice constructs, but Tsubaki's control was refined enough to adapt, to counter, to keep Bakugo from getting a clean hit.
The arena became a battlefield of ice and explosions, cold meeting heat in violent collisions that sent steam hissing into the air.
In the Stands
The crowd was on their feet, screaming with excitement.
"This is incredible!" someone shouted.
"They're both so strong!"
"Who's going to win?!"
The pro heroes leaned forward with intense interest.
"Both of them are holding their own," Best Jeanist observed. "This could go either way."
Class 1-A Section
"GO BAKUGO!" Kirishima was screaming himself hoarse. "SHOW HIM WHAT YOU'VE GOT!"
"Todoroki-san, don't lose!" Yaoyorozu called out, her usual composure cracking with excitement.
"They're both amazing," Uraraka said, her eyes wide. "It really does feel like anyone could win!"
Even the students who'd been eliminated early were completely absorbed in the match, watching two of their classmates push each other to their absolute limits.
The Arena
Tsubaki landed from another dodge, his breathing slightly heavier now. Bakugo stood across from him, sweat dripping from his face, his palms smoking from continuous quirk usage.
But neither was backing down.
'He's talented,' Tsubaki acknowledged internally. 'Arrogant, loud, aggressive—but he worked to get here. His battle instincts are sharp. His explosions are precise despite looking wild. He's a real threat.'
He respected that. Respected the strength Bakugo had shown, the determination to win.
'But respect doesn't mean I'll lose.'
Tsubaki's eyes hardened.
'I still have the upper hand. He's using more energy with each explosion. Getting more tired. Making smaller mistakes. It's only a matter of time before I find the opening I need.'
Bakugo charged again, explosions propelling him in a zigzag pattern. Tsubaki created ice walls to intercept—
Bakugo blasted through them.
Ice birds dove from above—
Bakugo destroyed them mid-flight.
A chain tried to wrap around his leg—
He blasted it apart before it could tighten.
But with each exchange, Tsubaki learned. Adapted. His ice constructs became more varied, appearing from unexpected angles, forcing Bakugo to work harder to defend and attack simultaneously.
An ice spike shot up from directly beneath Bakugo—
He blasted it, but the recoil threw off his trajectory slightly.
Tsubaki was already moving, ice forming beneath him to carry him into position. His hand shot out, ice chains erupting toward Bakugo's now-vulnerable position—
Bakugo twisted mid-air with desperate agility, barely avoiding the chains. He fired an explosion to stabilize, then another to create distance.
'Damn it!' Bakugo thought, his jaw clenched. 'He's reading my movements! Getting better at predicting where I'll be!'
His red eyes blazed with determination.
'Fine! Then I'll just have to hit him with something he CAN'T predict!'
Bakugo suddenly pulled back, using his explosions to launch himself high into the air. His palms were extended, sweat already forming—the special nitroglycerin-like sweat that fueled his explosions.
Tsubaki watched him ascend, his eyes narrowing. 'He's going up? What's he planning?'
At the apex of his jump, Bakugo began spinning, his body rotating like a top. Explosions erupted continuously from his palms, building momentum, building power, creating a vortex of explosive force around him.
The heat in the arena increased dramatically. The crowd could feel it even in the distant stands.
'Something big is coming,' Tsubaki realized, ice already forming around him in preparation.
Bakugo's spin accelerated, the explosions growing larger, more intense. He was building up to something massive, using gravity and rotation to amplify his quirk's power.
"THIS IS IT!" Bakugo roared from above, his voice barely audible over the continuous explosions. "DON'T YOU DARE HOLD BACK!"
Then he stopped spinning and aimed directly at Tsubaki.
"HOWITZER IMPACT!"
The explosion was massive a concentrated, spiraling blast that tore through the air with devastating power. It wasn't just the force of an explosion; it was the accumulated energy of dozens of blasts compressed into a single, focused attack.
The heat was intense enough to create visible distortion in the air. The shockwave preceded the blast itself, cracking the arena floor.
It roared toward Tsubaki like a miniature sun given form and purpose.
Tsubaki's eyes widened slightly, genuine respect showing in his expression.
'That's... impressive. The heat, the force, the control needed to create that...'
But his hands were already moving.
Ice erupted in front of him layer upon layer, each one angled differently, some designed to deflect, others to absorb, creating a defensive structure that channeled the force away from him rather than taking it head-on.
The Howitzer Impact hit the ice structure.
The explosion was catastrophic. Ice shattered, steam erupted, the shockwave sent debris flying across the arena.
For a moment, no one could see what had happened. The steam was too thick, the debris too dense.
Then it cleared.
Tsubaki stood, his ice structure destroyed but himself unmarked. His chest was heaving slightly, his eyes sharp and focused.
And Bakugo landed heavily on the arena floor, his arms smoking, his body swaying slightly from the energy expenditure of his ultimate technique.
For one heartbeat, they stood there two warriors, both pushed to their limits, both refusing to yield.
Then Tsubaki moved.
Ice formed beneath his feet, launching him forward with speed that caught even Bakugo off-guard. Ice materialized in front of Bakugo a wall that forced him to dodge left.
But Tsubaki had predicted the dodge.
Ice erupted exactly where Bakugo landed, catching him mid-step and freezing his feet to the ground. Before Bakugo could blast free, more ice spread up his legs, his torso, immobilizing him completely.
Tsubaki's hand moved, and the ice carried Bakugo backward, sliding him across the arena floor toward the boundary line.
Bakugo struggled, explosions crackling desperately, but he couldn't generate enough force to break free before
He crossed the boundary line, still encased in ice.
The buzzer sounded.
"BAKUGO KATSUKI IS OUT OF BOUNDS!" Midnight announced. "THE WINNER IS TODOROKI TSUBAKI!"
The stadium fell silent for one moment.
Then erupted into the loudest cheers of the entire day.
"TODOROKI TSUBAKI WINS THE UA SPORTS FESTIVAL!" Present Mic's voice was hoarse from screaming but still carried across the stadium. "HE DID IT! HE BACKED UP EVERY WORD HE SAID! FIRST PLACE IN EVERY EVENT!"
The crowd was on their feet, screaming, cheering, celebrating.
Tsubaki released the ice, and Bakugo dropped to his knees. The explosive blonde's face was twisted with fury and frustration, his fists clenched so tight they were shaking.
"DAMN IT!" Bakugo roared, explosions crackling around his palms. "DAMN IT, DAMN IT, DAMN IT!"
But beneath the fury was grudging respect. He'd given everything his best techniques, his strongest attack and it still hadn't been enough.
Tsubaki stood at the center of the arena, his chest heaving with exhaustion, his body aching from the prolonged battles.
But his eyes... his eyes showed satisfaction. Achievement. Victory.
He'd done it.
Declared he would win. Backed it up every step. Defeated everyone who stood in his way.
And now he stood at the top, exactly where he'd said he would be.
The crowd's cheers washed over him, and for the first time since the festival began, Tsubaki allowed himself a small, genuine smile.
Award Ceremony
After a brief intermission to allow the finalists to recover and the arena to be prepared, the award ceremony began.
Three podiums had been erected at the center of the arena bronze for third place, silver for second, gold for first.
"AND NOW!" Present Mic announced. "TO PRESENT THE MEDALS, PLEASE WELCOME THE NUMBER ONE HERO!"
The crowd held its breath.
Then, from the very top of the stadium, a figure appeared.
"I AM HERE!"
All Might's voice boomed across the stadium as he launched himself from the highest point, his muscular form plummeting toward the arena in a controlled fall that had the crowd gasping. He landed with a thunderous impact that cracked the arena floor, his signature smile beaming at the camera.
The crowd went absolutely insane.
"ALL MIGHT! ALL MIGHT! ALL MIGHT!"
Even the pro heroes stood, applauding the Symbol of Peace.
Tokoyami and Shoto stood on the bronze podiums, both looking better after Recovery Girl's treatment but still showing signs of their battles.
All Might approached them with medals in hand, his smile warm and encouraging.
"Young Tokoyami," All Might said, placing the bronze medal around his neck. "Your control over Dark Shadow is impressive! But remember every quirk has weaknesses. Learning to overcome those weaknesses is what separates good heroes from great ones! Keep training!"
Tokoyami bowed slightly. "Thank you, All Might. I will work harder."
All Might turned to Shoto, and his expression became more thoughtful.
"Young Shoto," he said, placing the medal around Shoto's neck. "It looks like this festival gave you a lot to think about with your power. I hope this experience only makes you stronger moving forward."
Shoto's heterochromatic eyes met All Might's blue ones. Something passed between them understanding, acknowledgment.
"Thank you," Shoto said quietly. "I... I'll keep growing."
Bakugo stood on the silver podium, his expression thunderous. He wasn't restrained, but he looked like he wanted to blast the entire podium to pieces.
All Might approached with the silver medal, and Bakugo immediately spoke.
"I don't want it," he said flatly, his red eyes blazing. "I didn't win gold, so I don't want the damn medal."
All Might's smile didn't waver. He reached out and, despite Bakugo's protests, placed the medal around his neck with gentle but irresistible force.
"Young Bakugo," All Might said, his voice carrying both authority and warmth. "Second place is still an incredible achievement. You fought with everything you had, showed exceptional skill and determination."
"I don't care about second place!" Bakugo snarled. "I wanted first!"
"Then look at this medal as motivation," All Might said, his smile becoming more understanding. "For next year. For the future. Use this feeling this frustration to drive yourself to become even stronger. That's what heroes do. We take our losses and use them to grow."
Bakugo's jaw clenched, but he didn't remove the medal. His fists were shaking at his sides."Next year," he muttered, his voice low and intense. "Next year, I'm taking first. Count on it."
All Might's smile widened. "I believe you will try your absolute best! Plus Ultra!"
Gold
Finally, All Might turned to the highest podium.
Tsubaki stood there, his posture straight and proud. On the outside, he was calm, composed, the same cold mask he'd worn throughout the festival.
But his eyes... his blue eyes showed the slightest hint of emotion. Pride. Satisfaction. Achievement.
All Might approached with the gold medal, his expression both proud and thoughtful.
"Young Tsubaki," All Might said, his voice carrying clearly across the stadium. "You kept your word. From the very first event, you declared you would win this festival. And you did."
He placed the gold medal around Tsubaki's neck, the weight of it settling against his chest.
"You took on everyone who stood in your way," All Might continued, his blue eyes meeting Tsubaki's. "Showed exceptional skill, power, and determination. You stood tall when others fell. And no one can take that away from you."
His smile became warmer, more genuine.
"You should be proud of your accomplishments, young Tsubaki. You've earned this victory completely."
"Thank you," Tsubaki said quietly, his voice steady despite the emotion threatening to break through his composure.
All Might stepped back, then raised his arms to address the entire stadium.
"THE CROWD KNOWS WHAT TO SAY!" he declared, his voice booming.
And the stadium thousands upon thousands of voices unified into a single cry:
"PLUS ULTRA! PLUS ULTRA! PLUS ULTRA!"
Confetti began to fall from the ceiling, raining down in a rainbow of colors. Fireworks exploded overhead, painting the sky with brilliant light.
Tsubaki stood on the highest podium, the gold medal around his neck, the crowd cheering his name, the world watching.
He'd done it.
Everything he'd worked for. Everything he'd trained for. Everything he'd declared he would accomplish.
He stood at the top.
And as the confetti fell and the crowd roared and the cameras captured this moment for all of Japan to see, Tsubaki allowed himself to feel it.
Victory.
Pure, absolute, undeniable victory.
To Be Continued...