Uraraka burst into the locker room, her pink costume gleaming despite scuffs from the Cavalry Battle. "Midoriya! Second round's starting! You're up against Kirishima!"
Her eyes sparkled, but i caught her nerves-she needed to impress agencies for her family. I smiled, "You'll shine too, Uraraka. Let's show them Class 1-A's heart." She blushed, nodding. "With you out there, we can't lose!"
Kirishima slapped my shoulder, his red hair spiked. "Ready to rumble, man? I'm not holding back!" His grin was infectious, but I knew my Saiyan power outclassed his Hardening.
Tsuyu ribbited nearby, "Ribbit, don't go too hard, Midoriya. Kirishima's tough." Bakugo stormed past, sparks popping. "Don't screw this up, Deku. I'm taking you down later."
His growl hid respect-USJ and the Cavalry Battle had shifted him. Todoroki stood quietly, his dual-colored eyes on the bracket screen, ice frosting his shoulder. "Good luck, Midoriya," he said, voice low but genuine.
Present Mic's voice boomed outside: "Welcome to the One-on-One Tournament's second round! First-years, it's time to go Plus Ultra!"
The crowd roared as the brackets lit up: me vs. Kirishima, Bakugo vs. Uraraka, Todoroki vs. Kendo (1-B), Shinso vs. Momo. Only two matches today-mine and Bakugo's-leaving the rest for later rounds.
I settled in the stands with Class 1-A, my Saiyan senses catching every detail: Kaminari's nervous sparks, Momo's strategic notes, Iida's rigid focus.
Aizawa, bandaged but stern, watched from the faculty section, his gaze sharp. "Control yourself, Midoriya," he'd warned earlier. His scrutiny stung, but I'd prove my heroism, not just my power.
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Bakugo vs. Uraraka: The arena shook as Bakugo charged, his explosions blazing like miniature suns. Uraraka, determined, floated debris from the Cavalry Battle's wreckage, her Zero Gravity creating a meteor shower-a canon-inspired tactic that drew gasps from the crowd.
"Not bad, Round Face!" Bakugo taunted, dodging with agility honed from USJ. His gauntlets glowed, unleashing a massive blast to scatter the debris. Uraraka floated herself, dodging, and touched Bakugo's arm, making him weightless.
He countered with a propulsion blast, grounding himself, then launched a Howitzer Impact, the spinning explosion cratering the arena. Uraraka fell, exhausted but defiant, her meteor plan failing against his raw power. "Uraraka's out! Bakugo advances!"
Present Mic shouted. The crowd cheered, but I saw Uraraka's tearful resolve as she left the ring-she'd fought for her family. I clapped, my heart aching; I'd train with her later, help her grow.
Bakugo stormed back, smirking at me. "You're next, Deku." I nodded, Saiyan senses reading his aggression-strong, but no match for Broly's power. Uraraka joined us, wiping her eyes.
"I tried... but he's too much." I squeezed her shoulder. "You were amazing. We'll get stronger together." Her smile, small but real, warmed me-she was more than a manga crush now.
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Before my match, I slipped to a training room, using Dimension Create to enter the void. For what felt like hours, I tested Saiyan Physiology: punches cracked the air, green aura blazing like Broly's rage.
I lifted 50kg weights with telekinesis, Kinetic Glove amplifying mock strikes. Combat Instinct simulated Kirishima's Hardening-durable but slow, like Tetsutetsu's steel but with more heart.
I practiced restraint, avoiding Broly's berserk edge; crushing Kirishima wasn't heroic. Emerging after two seconds, I was sweat-soaked but ready. The Dragon Ball Super ticket pulsed in Dimensional Storage-tempting, but too risky before my match.
Back in the stands, Kirishima fist-bumped me. "Let's make it manly, Midoriya!" I grinned, "You got it." Tsuyu tilted her head, "Ribbit, don't break him." Kaminari sparked, "No way Kirishima beats Green Spark!"
Mina danced, "Show him up, Midoriya!" Even Iida nodded, "Your discipline is admirable." Their support grounded me-these weren't manga panels; they were my family.
Present Mic's voice cut through: "Next up, Izuku Midoriya vs. Eijiro Kirishima! Power vs. Hardening-let's see some action!" The crowd roared as I stepped into the arena, Kirishima's red-hardened form gleaming opposite. "Ready to test my steel, Midoriya?" he shouted, fists raised, his skin glinting like armor.
Midnight cracked her whip. "Begin!" Kirishima charged, his Hardening at max, aiming a heavy punch. My Saiyan speed-faster than Iida's Engine-dodged effortlessly, green aura flaring subtly.
I used minimal strength, equivalent to 10% of my old Superpower, landing a controlled jab to his chest. He staggered, Hardening cracking slightly. "Whoa, you're strong!" he grunted, swinging again.
I didn't want to humiliate him-he was my friend. Major Telekinesis activated, lifting him gently-50kg no issue-and pinning him to the arena's edge, just out of bounds. The move was precise, not flashy, my Saiyan restraint earning gasps from the crowd.
"Midoriya wins in seconds!" Mic screamed. Pros like Hawks scribbled notes, Endeavor's fiery glare locked on me. Kirishima stood, grinning despite defeat. "That was so manly, dude! You're unreal!" I helped him up, bowing. "You pushed me, Kirishima. Great fight."
The crowd chanted my name, but I kept my focus, Saiyan senses scanning for threats-none, just awe. Back in the stands, Class 1-A swarmed. "That was too fast!" Kaminari sparked. Mina cheered, "Green Spark's unstoppable!"
Uraraka hugged me, blushing. "You're amazing, Midoriya!" Bakugo scoffed, "Tch, wait for me, Deku." Todoroki nodded, "Your control is... impressive." His fire side flickered, hinting at growth-my USJ stand had sparked something in him.
The brackets didn't update yet-only two matches today, with Todoroki vs. Kendo and Shinso vs. Momo set for the next round. I strategized with Analytical Mind: Kendo's Big Fist was strong but predictable; Shinso's Brainwashing was trickier, but my Saiyan senses could resist.
My next opponent wasn't clear, but Bakugo and Todoroki loomed for later rounds. I'd need precision, not just power, to stay heroic.
In the break, I reflected on USJ. My 30% Superpower push had nearly broken me, but Saiyan Physiology felt limitless-no pain, just raw strength.
Pros watched closely-Hawks' keen eyes, Endeavor's intensity. Their interest meant internships, but also danger. The League of Villains, lurking after their USJ retreat, might target me. Shigaraki's manic grin flashed in my mind-would he watch the festival?
Mirio approached, his grin wide and genuine. "Nice one, Midoriya! You're a star!" No suspicion, just third-year pride. The system's mask held, my Saiyan aura hiding any trace of my anomaly. I smiled, "Thanks, Mirio!" but kept my guard up-his One For All was a reminder of my stolen path.
Inko's face flashed, her pride from last night grounding me. "You're my hero, Izuku," she'd said over katsu curry. I clutched a Senzu Bean in Dimensional Storage, ready if needed. The system flickered, a faint neon pulse.
System Notice: Lockdown holding. Heroic alignment nearing threshold-restraint and camaraderie noted. Reactivation pending.
My pulse quickened. Restraint and teamwork-my choice not to crush Kirishima, my bond with Uraraka and Class 1-A-were pushing the system's "alignment."
The tournament's next rounds loomed: Todoroki, Bakugo, maybe Shinso. With Saiyan Physiology, I'd dominate, but I'd do it as a hero.