Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Today is July 30th. With the indoor temperature averaging 30 degrees Celsius, Aoi had no choice but to let the poor electric fan, which had been running nonstop for five days and nights, continue its grueling work.

It seemed the fan was starting to wear out. Aoi couldn't pinpoint exactly when, but at some point, it began making a "whining" noise, like it was protesting. He swore that when he bought it five days ago, there was absolutely no sign of this peculiar, complaining sound.

"Nagoya: 40 to 41.1C."

"Shizuoka: 40 to 41C."

"Yokohama: 39 to 40C."

The female announcer on the TV calmly reported these shocking temperatures, her soft voice in stark contrast to the terrifying numbers. It made people feel as though the Earth was slowly turning into Mercury.

Then, "Rumble..."

A deafening roar suddenly surged in through the window, drowning out every sound in the room, asserting itself as if it owned the space. Aoi didn't flinch. He remained seated on the sofa, staring blankly at a slip of paper and a bank card on the coffee table before him.

It was just the sound of another airplane taking off. He was used to it by now, as he heard it once or twice a day. While it used to bother him, he'd long since grown accustomed to the noise.

After all, his apartment was right next to Tokyo's only major airport.

This brings us to how Aoi ended up living in this place, a two-bedroom, one-bath apartment of about 70 square meters. It wasn't a rental he actually owned it.

Yes, his name was on the deed.

But he didn't buy it himself. In fact, he couldn't afford it. He was just an ordinary guy, fresh out of college, without the means to purchase a home. And no, his parents didn't buy it for him either. Aoi had grown up in an orphanage with other kids. Life was fine. Except for the dorm-style living arrangements, it wasn't much different from the way normal children lived. He had enough to eat, enough to wear, and received a proper education, which left him with a pretty favorable view of the country.

That said, he did have a particular passion—Anime.

For Aoi, and for many other kids in the orphanage, anime was more than entertainment it was like a friend and a teacher all in one. It gave them, each with their own sad backgrounds, a way to connect with one another.

Among all the shows, Naruto was the most beloved. It's easy to see why: Naruto, the main character, was also an orphan.

But let's get back on track.

The apartment Aoi now lived in wasn't something he bought, nor was it given to him by his parents. He had inherited it from an old man he met a year ago, shortly after graduating from college.

The old man, who was over eighty years old, claimed to have no family, no wife, no children. So, before he passed, he decided to leave all his belongings to a "fated person."

The catch? Aoi had to be his surrogate son until he passed away. When Aoi asked why he'd been chosen, the old man simply looked at him with a complicated expression and said, "You're easy on the eyes..."

At first, Aoi didn't believe it. He was a rational adult, and his first instinct was that this was some kind of scam. But when his name legally appeared on the property deed, and nearly 60,000 yen was deposited into his bank account, he couldn't deny it any longer.

For the next five months, Aoi became the old man's "son," staying by his side until he took his last breath.

Sure, Aoi could have taken the money and the house and left without a second thought. But he didn't. He couldn't bring himself to do something that heartless.

So, for five months, instead of looking for a job, he stayed home and listened to the old man recount stories from his military days. Aoi didn't even know how to cook, but he bought recipe books and learned to make meals. When the old man wanted fruit, Aoi would get up early to buy the freshest produce from the morning market.

Sometimes, when the boredom was too much, he would sing, even though the only songs he knew were theme songs from anime. The old man didn't understand a word, but he always listened with a smile.

In the final two months, the old man became bedridden and refused to go to the hospital, insisting it was a waste of money. So, Aoi made porridge every day and fed it to him, spoonful by spoonful. When some spilled, he'd carefully wipe it up.

But the hardest part was dealing with the old man's declining physical state. He could no longer go to the bathroom on his own, and sometimes accidents happened. It was difficult for Aoi, and there were many times he thought about walking away. But every time he saw the old man's cloudy eyes, he swallowed his frustration and pushed through.

To this day, he still isn't sure if he stuck around because of the apartment and money, or because he'd genuinely come to see the old man as a father figure.

Now, why was Aoi sitting on the couch, staring at a slip of paper and a bank card? The reason might make you laugh: he'd been sitting there all night.

The slip of paper was a check. A check with a 1, followed by seven zeros. No, this wasn't part of the inheritance from the old man.

He'd earned it. In fact, it had only taken him less than forty-eight hours.

Sounds impressive, right?

But it's really nothing special. Anyone could do it—as long as they win the first prize in the lottery.

Yep, the check in front of him was the prize from the national lottery.

As for the bank card, well, that was even simpler. The eight-figure sum on the check was now safely deposited in his account.

"What the hell is going on with me?"

"Why is this so ridiculous?"

"You just buy a random lottery ticket and win?"

"Okay, fine, I won. So what? It's just the first prize."

"The first prize, though? And I actually got it?"

All night long, these kinds of thoughts kept swirling through Aoi's mind in different variations. He simply couldn't wrap his head around how lucky he was.

"Wait a minute..."

The sound of the plane had long since faded, and Aoi's mind started to clear. He glanced around his living room and muttered to himself.

"Come to think of it... this apartment... it's kind of suspicious how I got it in the first place."

Sure, he'd taken care of the old man for five months, but did that really balance out the value of a place like this?

"With luck like this, am I the protagonist of some kind of story? Is my 'Golden Finger' just ridiculously good fortune?"

Maybe it was all the anime he'd watched, but Aoi's thoughts began to wander, and before he knew it, a strange idea slipped out of his mouth.

"What if I wanted to travel through time? To a world with superpowers or something..."

Chapter Text

Chapter 1: Comic Version of the Marvel World?

Saitama Municipal General Hospital, Japan.

"Waaahh"

A high-pitched baby cry suddenly filled the pristine delivery room. But just after the nurse finished cutting the umbilical cord, something unusual happened.

"Crack"

A small burst of yellowish electricity flickered from the newborn's body, zapping the nurse's gloves. Within seconds, a large amount of golden electricity surged from the baby's body, lighting up the room in a flash of gold. The entire delivery room was suddenly awash in a bright electrical glow.

Despite the shocking display, neither the doctor nor the nurses seemed fazed. They continued their tasks calmly, as if they'd expected something like this to happen.

Oddly enough, the electric surge didn't harm anyone or disrupt the medical equipment in the room. It was as if the electricity was entirely under control.

"Is it a boy or a girl?"

The black-haired woman lying on the delivery bed, glancing up at the flickering light on the ceiling, asked in a tired voice.

"Congratulations, it's a very healthy boy."

The experienced doctor, recognizing the unspoken question in her eyes, added with a warm, reassuring tone, "But you can't touch him just yet, and you'll need to keep your distance. His Quirk appears to be lightning-based and quite strong. Without insulated clothing, it could be dangerous."

"Lightning, huh… just as expected… Alright then," she sighed, her disappointment clear, but she understood the situation. Her nerves, strained by the delivery, began to relax, and she quickly grew drowsy.

"Baby… I'll see you soon…"

She didn't fight the exhaustion. As the sound of her baby's cry echoed in her ears, she closed her eyes and drifted off into a deep sleep. She was utterly spent.

Meanwhile, the nurses expertly placed the newly born "thunderbolt" baby into an incubator designed to block electricity. The doctor, wiping his hands, stepped out of the delivery room to speak with the child's father.

Inside the incubator, the baby's cries suddenly stopped. Not because he was soothed, but because Aoi the consciousness inside the baby had calmed down.

"I... I've time-traveled… No, technically I've been reincarnated… as a baby, a baby that can discharge electricity?!"

As Aoi processed this, excitement began to rise. "I really ended up in a world with superpowers! And they're completely normal here!"

Earlier, he'd been terrified when the electricity burst out of him, but the casual reaction of the doctors and nurses to his powers told him everything. He didn't know how he'd generated the electricity, but the fact that no one was panicking meant it wasn't out of the ordinary.

This was good news. It meant he wouldn't be hunted down or feared as some kind of freak. That was a huge relief, especially since he had no way to protect himself right now.

"What kind of world is this?!"

As he was wheeled into a room full of other newborns by a gentle nurse, Aoi's mind raced with possibilities.

But instead of crying again, he stayed silent, his attention drawn to the strange babies around him. Some of them didn't even look human.

There were babies with long horns, tails, and red skin, which were strange but still somewhat human-like. But what was going on with that black-and-white panda-looking baby? Or the one that looked like a giant ant?!

"Could this be a fantasy world with multiple races?" Aoi wondered, his curiosity piqued.

But then he reconsidered, looking at the advanced technology around him the high-tech incubators, the medical equipment, and the cameras mounted on the ceiling.

"No, this place has to be a sci-fi world. The tech is too advanced for just magic. It's probably a world where superpowers and advanced technology coexist."

With the limited information he had, that was the best conclusion Aoi could come to. But one thing was certain: he was excited about the life ahead of him.

"Here's hoping my luck from the last life carries over."

Time flew by, and before long, Aoi had turned three years old. However, his new name was no longer Aoi.

Now, he was Kaminari Denki.

He didn't mind the new name at all. His old name had little meaning to him, and the fact that he now had real parents was something he was immensely grateful for. Over the past three years, he had experienced their unwavering love and care. To him, his new name imbued with his parents' hopes and affection was something precious, something to be cherished.

Of course, he hadn't spent the past three years just basking in familial love. Despite his young age, Aoi, now Kaminari Denki, had been busy gathering information.

Since he couldn't do much physically, he'd focused on what he could do watching, listening, and absorbing everything around him. The TV had become his best source of information.

While there was a computer at home, it would have been far too suspicious for a toddler to start typing and searching for information. Even in a world where superpowers were common, being a three-year-old computer whiz was asking for trouble. He was cautious enough to avoid drawing unnecessary attention.

So, what had he learned?

First and foremost, superpowers, or "Quirks" as they were called here, were everywhere. From the moment he was born, he realized that his lightning ability wasn't something unusual in this world. As he grew, he confirmed that he was now living in Japan, his parents were Japanese, and they seemed to live an ordinary life in a parallel version of Earth.

While it was a bit unsettling that this wasn't his original world, it was reassuring to know that countries like the United States, China, and Russia still existed. The geography of this world was nearly identical to the one he knew. That was comforting, in a way. He wasn't entirely lost in some unrecognizable place.

Even more important was what he'd learned from TV this world had Heroes. And not just a few. Heroes were everywhere, and they were celebrated.

This revelation made Kaminari's mind spin with wild possibilities. He had a theory one that was crazy, but not impossible.

"This might actually be the Marvel universe... but with more than just superheroes. Mutants, Inhumans, all sorts of superpowered races… it's all here!"

Chapter 2: Hero(es) and the Guitar

"No… this isn't the Marvel world…"

A six-year-old blond boy sat on his mother's lap, staring blankly at the computer screen in front of him. There was a sense of relief, but also a tinge of regret.

Up until today, he had been convinced that the world he'd been reincarnated into was a comic-book version of the Marvel universe, where Earth was constantly being ravaged by all sorts of chaos.

Although the TV didn't feature any familiar superheroes or supervillains, people here referred to superpowers as "Quirks." That had confused him for a while. But he dismissed it, thinking it made sense after all, he was in Japan, not the United States. It wasn't odd that he couldn't spot Spider-Man or Iron Man swinging by on the news.

But all of that was shattered today.

Today was his first day at Saitama Municipal Elementary School. Since it was the first day, there wasn't much actual teaching. Most of the day was spent getting to know the campus, meeting the homeroom teacher, and receiving a few textbooks.

However, their teacher, Rimi Yonekura, gave a brief introduction on the basics of Quirks especially how they originated.

Listening to her explanation, Kaminari realized that this world was nothing like the Marvel universe he'd imagined. His entire understanding had been mistaken.

As soon as he got home, he begged his mother to let him use the computer to look up more information on Quirks and the world around him. His excuse? He was eager to learn more about the world.

His mother, clearly thrilled by his curiosity, complied without hesitation.

"It's so wonderful to see you so eager to learn on your very first day of school!"

And so, he finally learned the truth. This wasn't Marvel at all. No mutants, no Iron Man, no Captain America.

Even more surprising, the concept of Hero(es) in this world was vastly different from what he had expected. Here, Hero(es) were essentially government employees. They got paid for their "heroic" work, receiving significant rewards from the government for their actions.

To be honest, Kaminari found it hard to agree with that idea. In his mind, those people were more like glorified special police officers, not "heroes."

Perhaps it was his previous life's upbringing that influenced his thinking. To him, the word "Hero" wasn't something just anyone could use. A Hero, in his mind, was someone who made great sacrifices for their country or the people without expecting anything in return. That's what he believed a true hero should be.

These "special police" were just "good citizens" and "good public servants" at best, in his opinion.

Of course, Kaminari didn't have any extreme thoughts like wanting to change the system or revolt against it. He'd been given a second chance at life, and he wasn't about to waste it by doing something foolish.

Instead of fighting against the rules, it was better to adapt. That was the key to living a comfortable life.

So, while he was relieved that this wasn't the chaotic Marvel universe, he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed that he wouldn't see those familiar heroes he'd grown up with.

As Kaminari thought more about the world's background, his mind wandered to an anime he'd watched in his previous life One Punch Man.

That world also had professionalized Hero(es), just like this one. However, after asking his mother to look up the Hero rankings, he quickly confirmed that this wasn't One Punch Man's world either.

Even though they lived in Saitama City.

He was certain because the heroes from One Punch Man didn't exist in the rankings here. For example, the number one hero, All Might, didn't exist in that anime at all.

Well, with this newfound information, Kaminari finally had a more accurate understanding of the world. Since it wasn't any world he was familiar with, he would have to carefully consider his plans for the future.

In this new life, he didn't want to be as ordinary as he had been in his previous one. He remembered a saying from his old world: "Even if a loser gets a second chance through reincarnation, they're still likely to remain a loser because laziness doesn't change just by traveling through time."

Honestly, Kaminari Denki mostly agreed with that statement. But he also believed that nothing was absolute. If out of a hundred reincarnated people, ninety remained the same, the remaining ten might change for the better.

Because those ten wanted to change their fate. Because they didn't want to be the same person they were before.

Kaminari believed he was one of those ten people. He was ready to work hard and transform his life.

As for his future plans, it was clear that his Quirk was going to be the center of it all. How to train his Quirk and make it stronger would definitely be a lifelong pursuit.

He'd asked his mother about it, and she explained that his Quirk had been officially classified as a "discharge" ability meaning he could generate and release electricity. However, it wasn't an infinite power source. He had to charge his body first, storing the energy inside before releasing it.

Upon learning this, the first thing he thought about was the most basic yet important question: How could he increase the amount of electricity he could store?

But when he asked his mother, she admitted she didn't know. She explained that professional questions about Quirks were best left to licensed Hero(es). She herself had only studied general subjects in high school and hadn't taken any Hero courses, so she didn't have that kind of knowledge.

"But Mom, don't you practice your Quirk?" Kaminari asked, tilting his head cutely.

It wasn't like he was trying to act cute it's just that as a six-year-old boy with big, bright eyes and a charming smile, everything he did naturally came across as adorable. In this life, his appearance really was quite disarming.

He could only compare it to a human version of a Pikachu.

"We don't need to practice our Quirks."

His mother, with her long, straight black hair, looked at him lovingly and explained, "The law says that only licensed Hero(es) can use their Quirks under certain conditions. For ordinary people like us, it's illegal to use them."

"Oh…" Kaminari nodded, thinking it over. He understood the reasoning behind the rule it was just about maintaining order and stability.

"Then how do you get that license?" he asked.

His mother laughed gently and kissed his forehead. "That's something your teachers will explain when you're older. For now, it's far too soon for you to worry about that."

Her soft smile widened as she added, "What's important for you now is to study hard and take care of your body! Even if I don't know much about Quirks, I know that Quirks are part of your physical self. Having a strong body will definitely help!"

Kaminari nodded again. He had to agree with her. He needed to start taking better care of his body. First thing tomorrow, he would start waking up early and go for runs!

"Alright, it's getting late. You have school tomorrow, so it's time for bed!" His mother stood up and switched off the computer, then gently placed him in his bed—a bright yellow crib adorned with lightning bolt patterns.

"Mom!"

Just as she was about to turn off the lights and leave, Kaminari called out softly.

"Yes, sweetie?"

"I… can I learn to play the guitar? I really want to learn how to play."

Chapter 3: Midnight

February, while not quite as lively as March, still brings a hint of renewal. The lawns on both sides of the park are already covered in a fresh, green carpet, though without the layers of delicate flowers, the space feels a bit monotonous.

"Hah…"

A young man with blond hair, streaked with a bolt of black lightning, came to a stop, his chest heaving from the exertion of his run.

He approached an ancient tree with a thick, moss-covered trunk, his face shining with sweat. With a deep breath, he inhaled the cool, fragrant air filled with the scent of the park's greenery.

"Phew…"

Exhaling a cloud of breath, Kaminari felt his entire body hum with energy. This feeling of taking in fresh air after a run he never got tired of it. It made every part of him feel alive.

"No matter how many times I experience this, it never gets old," he murmured, his gaze rising to the ancient cherry blossom trees lining the path. A handsome smile crossed his face, though there was a note of regret in his tone.

"Looks like the cherry blossoms won't bloom before school starts…"

This was Omiya Park in Saitama Prefecture, not far from the city where he lived. It was a short subway ride away, and for years, Kaminari had come here to exercise regularly.

The thing he loved most about this park were the cherry blossom trees. There were over a thousand of them, each an old tree with its own history. When March rolled around, the whole park would be bathed in pink, the cherry blossoms filling the air with their subtle fragrance.

He remembered the first time he'd come to enjoy the cherry blossoms with his parents it had left him stunned.

On that day, hundreds of families gathered under the blossoms, sharing carefully prepared lunches and drinks. People sang traditional songs, sometimes with friends, sometimes with strangers, and vendors sold treats from stalls they'd set up around the park. It was a lively, vibrant scene.

But most days, like today, the park was quiet. Aside from a few elderly folks taking their dogs for a walk, it was rare to see anyone else, especially a fifteen-year-old like Kaminari.

"Well, it's almost six," he muttered, glancing at his watch. He was wearing a black and yellow tracksuit, and a pair of headphones hung around his neck. It was time to head to the subway station.

His schedule had been the same for years now: get up at 4:30 a.m., head to the park for a run, and then find a secluded spot to practice and study his Quirk. Omiya Park was large, and at this early hour, he could train without anyone noticing.

Well, almost no one. There had been one instance where an elderly man walking his Shiba Inu had spotted him experimenting with his Quirk. But the man hadn't said a word, only smiled kindly before continuing along the path.

Kaminari wasn't too worried. As long as he didn't hurt anyone or himself, nobody was likely to make a fuss. But when he told his mother about his morning runs, he left out the part about practicing his Quirk. He didn't want to worry her, so in her mind, he was just a good son who studied hard, exercised regularly, and had a love for music.

"Hm?"

By now, Kaminari was nearing the park's entrance, less than 200 meters from the subway station. He was about to put on his headphones and enjoy some music on his way home, but he was stopped by the sight of a small crowd gathered ahead, along with the sound of worried voices.

"Did someone call an ambulance?!"

"It's on its way! But it'll take at least ten minutes to get here!"

"What do we do? He's not breathing!"

Curious, Kaminari approached and saw an elderly man lying unconscious on the ground, surrounded by several anxious onlookers. A little Shiba Inu stood beside the old man, licking his face in confusion.

"Wait, isn't that the old man…?"

Kaminari immediately recognized him. It was the same man who had spotted him practicing his Quirk not too long ago. He still remembered the kind smile the old man had given him.

"Excuse me, what happened to him?" Kaminari asked, addressing a bald, heavyset man nearby. But it was a worried woman with purple hair who answered him.

"We're not sure. He just collapsed out of nowhere. By the time we checked, he wasn't breathing," she said, wringing her hands.

The bald man nodded, adding, "I called for an ambulance, but they said it'll take at least ten minutes. We're afraid the old man won't last that long."

Kaminari frowned, understanding their concern. Without oxygen, even a few minutes could be fatal, but he didn't have any first aid training. For a moment, he wasn't sure what to do.

"We need a hero! Is there a hero around here?!"

A younger man in the crowd shouted suddenly, and everyone's attention shifted.

"Heroes?!"

"Yeah! There must be a pro hero nearby! Someone find a hero!"

In a society filled with heroes, it was natural for people to think of them in emergencies. But no one here knew how to contact a hero directly, other than through their agency numbers. The issue was, they needed a hero now, not in ten minutes.

"Don't worry! A hero is here!"

Just as the crowd's anxiety peaked, a sultry voice rang out. Before anyone could react, a figure darted past them, moving so quickly that Kaminari barely registered it.

"That speed… incredible," Kaminari thought, his heart racing. But before he could process the movement, he was hit by a wave of strong perfume, making his head swim slightly.

"It's Midnight!"

The crowd began to cheer, and someone quickly explained, "She's a pro hero! A teacher at U.A. High School!"

Kaminari's eyes focused on the woman kneeling beside the old man. She was checking his vitals with a calm, practiced efficiency.

"A teacher from U.A…"

"He's in cardiac arrest!" Midnight's voice was firm and decisive. She wasn't a doctor, but as a senior pro hero, she had plenty of experience in emergency situations.

Without hesitation, she began administering chest compressions, trying to restore the old man's blood circulation. At the same time, she gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, not pausing for a second.

"It's not working! Chest compressions alone won't save him!" Midnight's voice grew strained with frustration. Her Quirk wasn't meant for healing, and she was running out of options.

"Cardiac arrest…"

A young voice broke through the tension, catching Midnight's attention. A slender shadow appeared beside her, cast by the morning light.

"I think… I might be able to help, Miss Hero."

Chapter 4: Rules and Trash

"What are you doing?"

Before Midnight could fully process what was happening, Kaminari had already crouched down and stretched his hand toward the old man's chest. In the next second, her white, slender hand tightly grabbed his wrist.

"Kid, what do you think you're doing?!"

Her brows furrowed in frustration, and her eyes flashed with disbelief. A child's interference during such a critical moment? It was outrageous!

However, Kaminari didn't react angrily. Instead, he looked up at her, his eyes calm and full of sincerity. With a quiet but confident voice, he began to explain.

"You just said the old man's heart stopped because of cardiac arrest, and your chest compressions and CPR aren't working, right? That means he needs a stronger shock to revive him."

"So—"

"Stop talking. Just listen to me," Kaminari interrupted her, knowing they didn't have a second to waste. "My Quirk acts like a defibrillator. My hands can generate the right kind of electricity to restart his heart."

As he spoke, he let a small spark of golden electricity dance between his fingers, proving his point before it quickly faded. Midnight hesitated for a second, feeling the faint static between them. The sensation made her instinctively pull back her hand, starting to believe him.

"But you don't have a hero license! According to the regulations, you're not allowed to—"

Before she could finish, Kaminari had already placed his hands on the old man's chest, focusing intently. Midnight could only stand by, her heart pounding as she watched the young boy defy the rules, hoping his gamble would pay off.

Though she was deeply unsettled by Kaminari's actions, it wasn't just because he'd disobeyed her. What truly frustrated her was how reckless he was, stepping in where he had no legal right to act. Regulations were there for a reason, after all.

Whether or not the old man survived, Kaminari would still face serious consequences. The law didn't care if the outcome was good or bad—breaking the rules was breaking the rules.

But now that he'd begun, all Midnight could do was watch. She silently prayed he knew what he was doing, though she was already planning on teaching him a lesson afterward. He needed to understand the weight of responsibility, the importance of laws and rules. That's what it meant to be a hero.

On the other hand, Kaminari was entirely focused on the task at hand. He carefully controlled the electricity coursing through his body, sending small, precise shocks directly to the old man's heart. This technique, which he called "Electrotherapy," was something he had developed himself, inspired by the thunder-based abilities of the character Enel from One Piece in his previous life.

The concept was simple use fine control over his electric current to act as a defibrillator, stimulating the heart back into rhythm. When Kaminari first started training his Quirk, he'd never thought about learning such delicate techniques. Like any kid, he'd imagined powerful, flashy moves with big effects stuff like "100,000 Volts," "Thunder Dragon's Roar," or "God's Judgement."

But reality had thrown cold water over his ambitions.

While his Quirk allowed him to generate electricity, Kaminari quickly realized he couldn't control large amounts of current at all. Once it left his body, it scattered wildly into the air, losing energy almost immediately.

The idea of shaping or directing his electricity seemed impossible. He couldn't even guide the current in a straight line. Worse yet, the risk of accidentally injuring others was high. The uncontrolled nature of his power made it far too dangerous to use around people.

This was the first of his two major limitations. Overcoming it would require intense training to master precise control. But the second flaw was even more debilitating and far harder to fix.

Whenever Kaminari pushed his output beyond a certain threshold, his brain would short-circuit. He'd lose consciousness and, for a while, turn into nothing more than a grinning idiot, only able to give a thumbs-up and giggle.

Why did he know this so well? Well, let's just say he'd learned the hard way.

In the end, Kaminari had to give up on the dream of massive electrical discharges. Instead, he turned his attention to honing his fine control over his Quirk, drawing inspiration from anime techniques that focused on precision rather than raw power.

Nine years of relentless training had paid off. Now, he could create complex three-dimensional shapes, like a small Pikachu, out of thin strands of electricity. This was proof of how far his micro-control had advanced.

It was also the reason he'd had the confidence to step in and perform defibrillation today. He wasn't acting out of arrogance he was relying on years of hard work.

The crowd surrounding them had fallen silent, holding their breath as Kaminari worked. It felt as though even the birds had stopped singing, waiting to see what would happen.

And then, suddenly, the old man's chest rose.

"He's breathing!"

"Oh my God, his heart is beating again!"

"Thank goodness!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, their excitement palpable. Some of the older women even had tears in their eyes as they watched the miracle unfold.

At the same time, the wail of a distant ambulance echoed through the park, but nobody cared about that anymore. Their attention was entirely on the blond boy, who stood up slowly, looking both relieved and exhausted.

"Kid! Do you realize what you've done?!"

As the others praised him, Midnight stepped forward, her voice cold and angry. "You broke the law! You're a middle school student, aren't you? If this gets recorded in your file, you'll have a hard time getting into any high school, no matter how good your grades are!"

"Do you understand how serious this is?!"

Kaminari glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Does it really matter?" he asked casually. "Would you have preferred to let the old man die just because of some regulation?"

He stepped forward, his eyes meeting Midnight's, his tone calm but firm. "Would you give up your future just to follow the rules, even if it meant losing someone's life?"

Midnight's anger faltered. She stared at him, the confidence in his expression catching her off guard. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.

"Rules?" Kaminari chuckled softly as he prepared to leave. He had his graduation ceremony today, and he didn't want to be late. But before he walked away, he turned back one last time.

"Yeah, people who break the rules are trash. But…" He paused, his voice firm. "People who don't value life are worse than trash."

With that, he headed toward the subway station, leaving behind a stunned silence.

Even Midnight, her mouth slightly open, was speechless. His words had struck deeper than she expected.

"Wait!"

Her voice rang out again, stopping him in his tracks. "What's your name?! Tell me your name!"

Kaminari paused, glancing back over his shoulder. "Kaminari. Kaminari Denki from Tanibori No. 1 Junior High. If you want to call the police and arrest me, that's where you'll find me."

And with that, he disappeared into the distance.

Chapter 5: Kaminari!

"Kaminari Denki..."

The female hero muttered the name under her breath, curling her lips in a mock show of disdain. "You little brat, if I really wanted to catch you, do you think I'd let you get away?"

"Pfft."

But for some reason, she suddenly giggled, her voice playful. "But those childish words... I don't mind them at all."

Then, in a louder voice, she turned to the gathered crowd of residents. "Everyone, listen up! I've decided to temporarily act as that boy's guardian under my authority as a pro hero. That means I, Midnight, am responsible for any consequences of his Quirk use today!"

According to the law, minors or student heroes without a license could only use their Quirks under the supervision of a guardian be it a parent, teacher, police officer, or hero. Professional heroes, under special circumstances, could take on that role temporarily, but they also had to shoulder all the responsibility for whatever happened.

That's why most pro heroes avoided it. Minors were unpredictable, and things could easily spiral out of control.

The crowd nodded in understanding. They were all adults and knew the complexities of the situation, so everyone quietly accepted Midnight's declaration with kind smiles.

Meanwhile, Kaminari, completely unaware of what had transpired, had already returned home, showered, and was getting ready for school. He stood at the door in his white school uniform.

Today was the graduation ceremony, so it would likely be the last time he'd wear this uniform that had accompanied him for the past three years.

"Here, your guitar."

His mother, still young and vibrant, handed him a bright yellow guitar case, smiling as she watched him step out of the house. She then slipped on her carefully chosen blue and white crystal heels.

Yes, his mother was accompanying him to school today. She'd sit with the other parents in the audience and watch him perform on stage.

There would be performances by other students too, of course, but in Kaminari's mind, his mother was coming specifically to see him, not anyone else.

"I think this is the first time Mom will see me perform live." Kaminari glanced at her, smiling as they walked together.

His mother tucked a stray lock of black hair behind her ear and nodded seriously. "So, son, make sure you don't embarrass yourself in front of everyone."

"Don't worry! Your son's going to be the most handsome one there today!"

Maybe it was because he'd lived a plain, ordinary life in his previous world, but now Kaminari had a deep desire to live boldly. In this life, he wanted to stand out, to shine like lightning across the sky.

Tanibori Junior High School was just two stops away on the subway, practically next door. It took only five minutes to get there.

When Kaminari and his mother arrived near the school, they saw groups of boys and girls in their uniforms, their youthful faces full of excitement as they walked alongside their parents.

Needless to say, these were his fellow graduates. But when Kaminari, carrying his guitar case, appeared at the school gates, the atmosphere changed in an instant.

"Ah! It's Kaminari!"

"Look, it's really him! He's as cool as ever!"

"Mom! Dad! Look, that's Kaminari! Isn't he handsome?! Isn't he just the coolest?!"

"Oh, that's the kid who's been top of the class for three years straight. He really does look impressive..."

"Hey! We're not talking about his grades!"

Kaminari's mother blinked in surprise, taking in the scene around her. She looked at her son with raised eyebrows. "Are you really this popular?"

The way those kids were looking at him, it was like they were staring at a celebrity.

"Eh, it's not a big deal," Kaminari said with a shrug, though inside he felt a spark of excitement and pride. It wasn't every day he got to show off in front of his mom.

With the crowd's eyes on them, mother and son made their way toward the school auditorium. Once inside, they had to part ways Kaminari needed to head backstage to check his equipment and get ready to stand with his classmates.

And, of course, because of the widespread existence of Quirks, there were plenty of students in the school who didn't look entirely "normal." Kaminari was already used to seeing people with unique appearances horns, tails, or other unusual features but it didn't faze him anymore.

The ceremony started with the usual formalities: speeches from the principal, teachers, and various student representatives. The school song played softly in the background, and one by one, students were called to the stage to receive their diplomas.

The only moment that really stood out? The thunderous applause that filled the auditorium when Kaminari's name was called and he walked across the stage.

After the diplomas were handed out, the stage was cleared for the performances. This was the highlight of the day, and everyone had been looking forward to it. The students who had spent the past two months preparing their acts performed with a mix of nerves and excitement. Each act was met with enthusiastic applause, and the performers, their faces flushed with pride, hugged each other as they returned backstage.

Kaminari watched from behind the scenes, clapping along with everyone else. He wasn't trying to act cool he genuinely appreciated their efforts. His own performance was up next, so he opened his guitar case and slung his electric guitar over his shoulder.

Though his act was the finale, he wanted to familiarize himself with the instrument and make sure everything was in place. The music teachers had already set up the speakers and effects for him, so all that was left was for him to play.

The guitar itself was a striking piece, with sharp, angular edges shaped like a bolt of lightning. The body was black with gold thunder patterns, but what stood out the most was the cute little Pikachu sticker on the front.

Of course, this world didn't have Pokémon. Kaminari had drawn Pikachu himself and turned it into a custom sticker. He felt an odd connection to the character something about Pikachu's electric powers resonated with him.

This guitar was a special gift from his father, given to him five years ago. It was expensive, worth about two months of his father's salary. Kaminari cherished it, and he had even given it a name Pikachu.

Lost in his thoughts, Kaminari was startled when one of the teachers tapped him on the shoulder. "Kaminari, you're up next!"

"Already?"

He was surprised by how quickly the time had passed, but he smiled and thanked the teacher. With his guitar slung across his body, he stepped up to the ready position, feeling the weight of everyone's expectations on his shoulders.

"Kaminari's going to play that song, right?"

"Yeah! That song! There's a music video online and a single on MTV, but hearing it live is going to be amazing!"

"Ha! You probably know all the lyrics by heart, don't you?"

"Come on, like you're any different! I bet you've got Pikachu pillows all over your room!"

Kaminari smiled to himself as he overheard the excited whispers from the audience. His classmates had been buzzing about his performance for weeks. As the host called his name, the energy in the room shifted.

"And now, the final performance of the day the one you've all been waiting for!"

"As soon as he said that, the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers. The sound was so deafening that even those backstage could clearly hear what they were chanting.

"Kaminari!"

"Kaminari!"

"Kaminari!"

"Alright, let's welcome the performance by the superstar of Tanibori No. 1 Junior High... Kaminari Denki!"

"OnlyMyRailgun!"

The final shout came from the entire audience in unison, their voices merging into one.

Chapter 6: Discovery

The school's auditorium stage wasn't particularly large, yet the teachers had gone to great lengths to create the best atmosphere for Kaminari's performance. They replaced all the curtains with thick, black, light-blocking fabric.

As the lights dimmed and the entire auditorium was engulfed in darkness, the teachers, students, and parents remained calm. After all, this kind of setup was quite common here, and everyone was familiar with the process.

Snap!

The moment the colorful spotlights above the ceiling converged on the center of the stage, Kaminari was already standing there, an electric guitar slung casually around his waist. He flashed a warm smile at the crowd as he gripped the microphone stand.

Several music teachers, serving as backup musicians, held bass guitars or sat behind the drum set, their presence complementing Kaminari like stars surrounding the moon.

But instead of bursting into cheers, the students waited in an expectant hush, as if collectively holding their breath for what was to come.

Without saying a word, Kaminari strummed the pick across the guitar strings, launching into a rhythmic intro with practiced ease.

The familiar melody swept through the auditorium like a wave, instantly igniting the crowd. Deafening cheers and screams erupted, their energy turning the entire venue into a boiling cauldron of excitement.

"Let go! A dream carved in my heart!"

"The future can be forsaken too!"

The moment he belted out the opening line, his powerful voice resonated alongside the fierce accompaniment. It felt like the air itself burst apart, the combined shouts of the students surging like waves, crashing against the walls and filling every corner.

This was their idol—someone who walked the same halls, shared the same classes, and was, incredibly, one of their own.

The sense of pride, connection, and the quality of the music left a lasting impression on everyone present. Kaminari wasn't just another talented student; he was a symbol of excellence in their midst.

"I don't recognize boundaries!"

"Meaningless!"

"This power shines like light!"

After Kaminari finished the first half of the song with an almost feverish tempo, the crowd finally joined in as he reached the line, "If the path I've walked can only be retraced." Together, they sang along, a chorus of hundreds merging into one voice.

"Might as well destroy everything here!"

"A town that's fallen into the abyss of darkness!"

"How long can people keep fighting?"

Even Kaminari's mother, who was sitting among the audience, was astonished. The sheer scale of the students' response left all the parents in the guest section wide-eyed and open-mouthed.

What on earth was happening?

Was this really just a junior high school graduation ceremony? It felt more like a rock star's cross-country tour than an ordinary school event.

Previously, they had heard their children rave about how cool Kaminari was, how well he could sing, and how popular he was at school. They hadn't taken it too seriously at the time.

After all, parents usually cared more about his academic performance and his impressive feat of being the only student from Taniben First Junior High to apply for U.A. High School's Hero Course and pass the written exam.

But now, witnessing this firsthand, they realized just how exceptional this boy was.

In Japanese society, test scores aren't the only measure of a student's worth; they aren't even the most important factor. What truly matters is the student's overall character and achievements.

However, despite being so well-known within the school, Kaminari wasn't a household name beyond its walls. Two years ago, he had posted a music video online where he played and sang "Only My Railgun" on his electric guitar, gaining some attention for the quality of the performance and his good looks. But he was still just a small-time singer, with songs that were better known than his face.

The performance ended before long; the song was only a little over four minutes. As the last note hung in the air, it signaled not only the end of the performance but also the closing of Kaminari's three-year middle school journey.

What lay ahead was the more demanding world of Hero High School, where a multitude of challenges related to becoming a Hero awaited him.

In this world, the Hero circle is the pinnacle of achievement. Now that Kaminari had been given a second chance at life, there was no way he'd let it pass without aiming for the top.

After the ceremony concluded, Kaminari and his mother left the campus together, accompanied by the well-wishes of friends and classmates. Perhaps feeling a touch of nostalgia, Kaminari glanced back at the school's name "Tanibori No. 1 Junior High" one last time.

Then he turned around and continued down the path to his future with his mother by his side.

"U.A. High School… I can't wait. But why did that female teacher come to mind?"

As soon as they arrived home, his overjoyed mother announced that the family would have a grand dinner to celebrate—barbecue!

Kaminari certainly had no complaints; in fact, he welcomed the idea. He was still growing, and some extra protein couldn't hurt.

But with some time to spare before his father got off work, Kaminari changed out of his school uniform, carefully folding it before placing it in the closet. He then hung his guitar bag on the wall.

Today was February 6th, and there were still twenty days until the practical exam at U.A. High School. He had already prepared as much as he could, so for the next few days, he would allow himself to rest and recharge, ensuring he was in peak condition when the time came.

Changing into casual clothes, Kaminari flopped onto his soft bed. It's worth noting that his pillow and blanket were both adorned with Pikachu designs, and a Pikachu figure model sat on his computer desk.

He hadn't bought these items himself. Considering he could draw Pikachu by heart, there wasn't much point in buying merchandise. It was all made at home.

Before he knew it, his eyelids grew heavy, his breaths became deep and even, and he drifted into sleep. The excitement from earlier had taken its toll.

The Pikachu clock on the wall quietly ticked away until nearly five in the afternoon, when the wooden door to his room suddenly creaked open.

"Hey, still sleeping?"

A middle-aged man with thick blond hair entered. When he saw his son dozing, he reached out and flicked Kaminari's forehead with two fingers.

Crackle!

But as soon as his fingers touched Kaminari's hair, a bright spark of electricity shot out, causing the man to quickly pull his hand back.

Oddly, silver-white sparks crackled from his fingertips but fizzled out before forming a complete current.

"Dad… seriously?" Kaminari rubbed his forehead, looking at his father with a mixture of irritation and helplessness.

"I've told you countless times, it's dangerous. My self-defense currents are stronger than your low-level lightning immunity can handle."

Kaminari's father also had an electrical Quirk, which was why the doctors had anticipated Kaminari's abilities and taken extra precautions for lightning protection.

But Quirks have levels. His father's Quirk was a lower-level "static" ability, capable only of releasing tiny amounts of static electricity that could cause a tingling sensation at best.

He also possessed a passive trait common to lightning-based Quirks—partial immunity to electricity.

This is similar to those with fire or ice-based Quirks, who are generally resistant to burns or frostbite. However, this resistance had its limits; with enough output, even they could get hurt.

"Haha, my bad," his father chuckled sheepishly, rubbing his slightly numb fingers. "I didn't expect your currents to be that strong."

His tone turned serious, "But is it because your Quirk level is naturally high, or… have you been training in secret?"

"Well…"

Chapter 7: Small Goals, Big Dreams

"Hahaha!"

Seeing his handsome son looking slightly embarrassed after being teased, Kaminari's father couldn't help but feel a bit smug.

"So, you figured it out, huh?"

Realizing his father was just joking around, Kaminari relaxed, got out of bed, and asked curiously, "When did you notice?"

His dad put on a mock-serious expression, "Son, never underestimate the wisdom of adults!"

"Especially since you've chosen the path of becoming a professional Hero. You'll definitely face dangerous people in the future, so you should never let your guard down."

His father's tone was a mixture of concern and expectation. It was clear he was worried for Kaminari's future and didn't want to see the tragedy of a parent outliving their child.

"Okay, okay, Dad, I promise I'll take your advice to heart."

Even though Kaminari knew he was only aiming for U.A. High School to get the Hero license, with no actual intention of pursuing a career as a professional Hero, he understood his father's worries. There was no need to argue, so he just went along with it. With a grin, he stepped forward and hooked his arm around his father's, his tone playful.

"I'm starving. I can't wait to eat some of that delicious barbecue."

"You little glutton... fine, fine," his dad said, shaking his head and smiling. He could only hope his son had really taken his words seriously because they were extremely important.

"Your mom and I are ready to go. We've just been waiting for you."

With that, the family of three happily made their way down to the apartment's parking lot, not wasting any time.

Without further ado, they piled into the car and headed to a well-known barbecue restaurant in downtown Saitama. It was a popular spot, though the prices were a bit above the average.

As the car cruised through the city, Kaminari, seated in the back with his mom, glanced idly out the window, watching the scenery roll by. His attention was particularly drawn to the professional Heroes patrolling the streets in their unique, sometimes flamboyant costumes.

Seeing those so-called Heroes, he found himself drifting into thoughts about the nature of Hero society. With nothing else to occupy his mind at the moment, he indulged in some reflection.

His opinion hadn't changed from over a decade ago: these professional Heroes, who had essentially become state-employed civil servants, were more like "specialized police officers."

Funded by the government, they carried out duties like patrolling, arrests, disaster relief, and maintaining public order. If that didn't make them akin to policemen, what did?

Some might argue that Heroes are also ordinary people who need to make a living, so it's fair for them to be paid for their work. While this was a reasonable perspective, Kaminari felt there was a flaw in such reasoning.

Becoming a Hero should not be primarily about the money. If someone thought about how much they could earn from a rescue or whether the government would compensate them before taking action, then their motivations were questionable. If they were rescuing people solely for the reward, could they truly be considered Heroes?

In Kaminari's view, such individuals were perhaps better described as "good people" rather than genuine Heroes.

What is a Hero, really? A Hero is someone who acts selflessly, who risks their life for the well-being of others and the nation, enduring hardships without hesitation. A Hero is someone who makes great sacrifices and contributions, even to the point of giving their life.

The title of Hero is the highest honor a society can bestow upon its members, and it should carry significant weight.

It shouldn't be handed out lightly, not for minor deeds like rescuing a stray dog. At best, those people could be called "kind-hearted individuals."

If anyone could be labeled a Hero simply for small acts of kindness, then what would that make those who sacrifice their lives for their country? Wouldn't it cheapen the sacrifices of true Heroes?

Thinking further, Kaminari pondered on the concept of compensation. A person with the ability to be a so-called professional Hero, someone who could handle dangers far beyond what regular people could face, should not be dependent on the "Hero salary" to survive. Wasn't it possible for them to find other ways to make a living?

Take examples from other worlds, Spider-Man was a journalist while working as a Hero, and Superman held a job at a company. Characters like Wonder Woman, The Flash, and the Fantastic Four all balanced Hero work with other occupations.

While those were fictional cases, Kaminari knew that in this world, many Heroes did the same. Plenty of professional Heroes held one or more other roles in society.

For instance, U.A. High School's teachers were all professional Heroes, yet they also served as educators. Midnight, the "R-Rated Hero," wasn't just a teacher; she was also a celebrity, frequently appearing on TV due to her stunning looks.

Then there was Present Mic, who taught at U.A. while also working as a popular radio DJ. Cementoss ran a construction company, while Mt. Lady was a top model and a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, with multiple endorsement deals.

Death Arms ran a martial arts training gym. There were countless examples of professional Heroes who found ways to integrate into society beyond just Hero work.

In Kaminari's opinion, this demonstrated that anyone qualified to be a professional Hero could find other means to support themselves.

If a person couldn't even manage that, what made them think they were capable of handling the dangers associated with being a Hero?

Therefore, Kaminari genuinely believed that the current system of professionalizing Heroes was unnecessary. If the government needed these roles to be formalized, wouldn't it make more sense to incorporate them into the police force?

The term "Hero" itself seemed almost superfluous under such circumstances.

Interestingly, his middle school history teacher had once explained that when Quirks first started appearing, law enforcement chiefs had insisted that police officers refrain from using Quirks during duty.

To Kaminari, this reasoning seemed baffling. How did using Quirks contradict law and order?

Aren't Quirks, at their core, tools wielded by humans? Besides, he was pretty sure that militaries worldwide had their share of powerful Quirk users.

However, it wasn't as if he harbored any extreme opinions about it. He was just airing out some idle complaints.

Kaminari did hold onto a personal principle, though. Even if he obtained a Hero license, even if he found himself in situations where he could save others, he would never accept the so-called Hero remuneration from the government.

To put it simply, he wasn't going to profit from the Hero title, nor did he feel he needed to. Helping others shouldn't automatically be equated with being a Hero, just like he didn't consider every patrolling professional Hero to be the real deal.

To him, the term "professional Hero" was just a unique job title, similar to being a ninja or a pirate. It was merely a profession, nothing more.

That being the case, his goals were clear. He was an entertainer, a star who helped others as a hobby. The Hero license was just a small step towards achieving something bigger...

As for his ultimate ambition, how about becoming the world's top lightning-based Quirk user? That didn't sound bad at all.

"Heh, heh."

As Kaminari imagined a bright future, the corners of his mouth curled up. His mother, sitting beside him, couldn't help but wonder what her son was so happy about.

Just then, the car pulled to a stop. His father in the driver's seat unbuckled his seatbelt and opened the door, announcing, "Alright, we're here!"

Chapter 8: The Bloody Iron Fist

"You know, it feels like forever since we last had barbecue here," Kaminari remarked, a hint of nostalgia in his voice as he followed his parents into the restaurant.

When exactly had it been since their last family outing to this place?

He still remembered the owner vividly not because of the food, but because his appearance was so startling. The man was nearly a spitting image of Saitama from One Punch Man. Seeing someone who looked that much like a famous manga character had definitely left an impression on Kaminari.

However, it seemed the owner wasn't around today. Kaminari glanced around and felt a small pang of disappointment.

"Yeah, it must've been a few years," his dad agreed as he spoke to the hostess and then followed her to their table. "The last time we were here was when I resigned and we celebrated the successful founding of our family's company."

"Please, take a seat here," the waitress, who looked like a college student working part-time, said with a polite smile as she led them to an empty table.

"Thank you," Kaminari's dad replied, sitting across from him, while Kaminari and his mom took seats on the opposite side. Being the one who knew the menu best, his dad took charge of ordering. The family had similar tastes when it came to barbecue.

"We'll start with two servings of grade-3 Osaka beef tenderloin, two glasses of ice water, and a Coke," he said, opting for plain water since he had to drive. Kaminari, of course, got his usual Coke.

"By the way, Dad, how's the company doing?" Kaminari asked casually as he leaned back, listening to the music playing softly in the restaurant. The DJ responsible for the playlist was none other than UA's teacher, Present Mic, Japan's top voice-Quirk user.

"It's doing great!" his dad replied enthusiastically. He never hesitated to discuss the company with Kaminari since its success was, in part, thanks to his son. "Pikachu merchandise is selling really well, and your 'Railgun' song is steadily climbing in popularity on MTV."

"Actually," he continued, "the song has just reached number seven on the TOP list. We're also seeing some decent revenue from the various copyrights. Overall, things are looking up!"

Kaminari nodded in satisfaction. Even without the support of the Pokémon franchise from his previous world, Pikachu's iconic design was still making waves in this one. It wasn't the cultural phenomenon it had been in his past life, but it was enough to sustain a small company and keep his family financially comfortable.

"But," his dad hesitated, "I think our product lineup is a bit too limited. Pikachu's great, but it would be better if we had a few more characters like it."

"No problem. I'll draw a few more when I get some free time," Kaminari said without hesitation. While he had no intention of becoming a full-time manga artist, he could definitely add a few more iconic characters like Squirtle or Charmander to expand the company's offerings.

"And then there's the matter of new songs…"

Kaminari didn't say this out loud but kept it in mind. He enjoyed singing far more than drawing, though he'd have to choose his next track carefully.

"Let go! A dream engraved in my heart!"

"You can also ignore the future!"

At that moment, the familiar intro to his song suddenly filled the restaurant, followed by his own voice coming through the speakers. Surprisingly, it was his mom who reacted first.

"Hey, isn't this your song?" she asked, recognizing it instantly since she had just watched Kaminari perform at his solo concert earlier that day.

"Yeah, it is," both Kaminari and his dad replied in unison. His dad, especially, had heard the song so many times due to work that he was nearly sick of it. Yet, it also highlighted a peculiar situation—Kaminari's music was popular, but he himself wasn't. Despite his song playing, no one in the restaurant seemed to realize that the artist was sitting right there.

Kaminari didn't mind, though. He was still a student, and there would be plenty of time to worry about fame when he was older. As long as he continued to release high-quality music, the recognition would come eventually.

Just then, the food arrived. The young waitress deftly handled the meat with a pair of clean spatulas, grilling the beef on the iron plate. Her movements were smooth and efficient, cutting the meat along its natural grain. There was a certain artistry to the traditional Japanese style of cooking, and Kaminari couldn't help but appreciate the show.

"All done! Now, you can add any seasonings you prefer. It's best enjoyed right away," the waitress said with a polite bow before moving on to prepare the next batch of beef.

Kaminari was used to the routine. He took the black pepper his mom handed him and sprinkled it lightly over the sizzling meat. Then, he picked up a piece with his chopsticks and savored the rich aroma before placing it in his mouth.

As mentioned earlier, their family shared similar tastes, and black pepper was a favorite for barbecued meat. But just as the three of them were settling in to enjoy the meal, a news report suddenly interrupted the background music on the restaurant's TV.

"This is NHA News. We are broadcasting an urgent update. Just an hour ago, police on patrol discovered the remains of professional Hero Plastique on Okasa Street."

"Based on preliminary investigations, authorities suspect the notorious 'Hero Killer.' The Saitama City Police Department, in cooperation with professional Heroes, has launched a full-scale search for the criminal."

"The Police Chief has also issued a warning advising professional Heroes not to act alone for the time being and urging citizens to limit their outings until further notice."

"The Chief, Yasuhei Yanai, assures the public that every effort is being made to bring the Hero Killer to justice and restore peace to Saitama City."

The broadcast ended as abruptly as it began, and the usual program resumed. But now, no one in the restaurant was paying attention to the show. Instead, whispers filled the air as customers discussed the sudden appearance of a super-criminal in their city.

It wasn't surprising; the thought of a nationally wanted criminal who had murdered over a dozen professional Heroes lurking nearby would unsettle anyone.

"The Hero Killer, huh… pretty straightforward name," Kaminari mused, taking a sip of his Coke.

"Looks like no matter what world you're in, there will always be villains like this."

Still, he had no intention of doing something reckless, like tracking down the killer to play hero. He'd just gotten a second chance at life and wasn't about to throw it away. He was only fifteen, after all. This was clearly a job for the professionals.

But just as Kaminari was lost in thought, a passionate voice rang out from a nearby table.

"Dad! I'm going to become the best Hero, and I'll catch all these bastards who harm people! If I meet this Hero Killer, he'll get a taste of my iron fist!"

Chapter 9: Colossus!

The passionate declaration managed to draw the attention of those nearby, including the Kaminari family. At first, some people thought it was just a kid making empty boasts, but when they saw a young man standing there with a confident expression, the adults' faces softened into amused smiles.

In a society like this, people were generally very forgiving towards the boldness of youth. If an adult had made the same proclamation, they might have been met with derision or even outright sarcasm. But when a teenager said it, it was taken as a sign of energy and spirit.

After all, wasn't that the kind of atmosphere a healthy, modern society should cultivate?

Of course, anyone with a bit of common sense could see that the boy's words were reckless, even dangerous. Ideally, someone would step in to caution him, but nobody did.

"Tetsu!"

The boy's father, a burly man with a flat-top haircut, suddenly stood up and delivered a sharp knock to his son's head. The young man yelped, clutching his head in pain as his father scolded him.

"Don't get carried away! I'm telling you right now, don't go around talking about things you don't understand!" His father's voice was stern. "Remember, if you ever find yourself face-to-face with the Hero Killer, you turn and run. Use your Quirk to get away and don't look back until you're in a crowd!"

Yes, it was the role of a parent to teach these lessons. Guardians were responsible for grounding their children in reality, and any adult with a proper education understood this.

"But why?" the boy protested, still rubbing his sore head. "I've already been accepted into the Hero Course at U.A. High School! And with my Quirk, no one's going to be able to hurt me!" He was fuming inside, thinking that if it hadn't been his dad, he'd have used his Quirk to defend himself.

"If I used my Quirk, you wouldn't have been able to land a hit at all!"

His loud response quickly drew the interest of other customers and even some of the waitstaff. U.A. High School's Hero Course was known for training the top future professional Heroes, and hearing that this boy had already made it in was impressive news.

In Japan, many students applied to U.A., but fewer than forty actually passed the entrance exams for the Hero Course each year. With only two classes Class A and Class B comprising about twenty students each, it was a highly selective program.

Of course, U.A. wasn't the only high school with a Hero program, but it was the undisputed top choice. The reason was simple: nearly half of all professional Heroes who had ever ranked in the top ten were U.A. alumni. The school had earned its reputation step by step through sheer results.

"Sit down!"

The boy's father's voice was gruff, yet filled with a father's pride tempered by caution. As a retired soldier, he knew how overconfidence could lead to disaster. He'd seen enough to know that if his son didn't curb his arrogance, it could cause irreparable harm in the future.

"Don't start boasting just because you passed the written test. The practical exam is still ahead. Let's see you stand out there before you start talking big."

The boy, whose Quirk made him as blunt as his personality, just grinned. "The written test was the hardest part for me, and I passed that already. The practical exam will be a piece of cake! I'm definitely going to get into Class A!" He then added to himself, Even if I end up in Class B, I won't let myself lose!

By now, the surrounding patrons had gone back to their meals and conversations. Watching a father and son bicker, even if it was amusing at first, only held so much interest.

Just then, Kaminari's father, who had been quietly observing, set his glass of water down, dabbed his mouth with a napkin, and addressed the other table.

"Excuse me, may I introduce myself?"

"Huh?" The boy's father turned towards Kaminari's dad, looking slightly confused. He listened as Kaminari's father continued.

"It's just that I overheard your son mention the practical exam at U.A. My son is also taking it, so I thought it might be good for them to get to know each other beforehand. You know, just in case they can look out for each other when the time comes."

Kaminari's father was a businessman through and through, and he saw no harm in helping his son make connections. In his view, there was no downside to Kaminari befriending someone who could potentially be a future classmate.

Of course, the boy might not pass the practical exam, but if he did, great. If he didn't, no harm done. What mattered was seizing every opportunity to create bonds.

And if anyone questioned whether Kaminari himself would pass, his father didn't want to hear it. He was confident in his son's abilities, and that was that.

"Oh? What a coincidence!" The boy's father seemed genuinely interested, glancing at Kaminari, who was also sizing up the boy.

"You're taking the exam too?"

When the boy realized there was a fellow aspiring Hero in the room, his eyes lit up with excitement. "My name's Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu! I'm from Anohana Junior High!" he announced with enthusiasm.

"Kaminari Denki, from Tanibori Junior High," Kaminari responded naturally. He then asked, intrigued by Tetsutetsu's earlier confidence, "You seem pretty sure about your Quirk. Mind if I ask what it is?"

Living in a world full of extraordinary Quirks, Kaminari had developed a fascination with learning about different powers. Unfortunately, most of the Quirks he had encountered up to this point had been mundane or impractical—things like changing the color of nose hairs or altering the shape of pupils. While mildly interesting, they fell short of the kind of superhuman abilities he'd been hoping to see, something like the powers from X-Men.

So, when Tetsutetsu spoke with such conviction, Kaminari's curiosity was genuinely piqued. He was eager to learn what kind of Quirk could give this boy such confidence.

Of course, there was a bit of strategy in his question as well. The practical exam didn't involve teams, so everyone was essentially competing against each other. Any information Kaminari could gather about a potential rival could come in handy.

Yet, it seemed neither Tetsutetsu nor his father had picked up on that subtext. In that sense, the father and son were very much alike both straightforward and quick to trust.

"Hehehe, my Quirk's awesome!" Tetsutetsu declared proudly, not noticing the subtle probing in Kaminari's question. "It's called 'Steel!' I can turn my entire body into metal, giving me super strength and toughness. It's like having the strongest shield and the strongest spear combined!"

"Your body turns into steel?" Kaminari's eyes widened as he finally encountered a Quirk that seemed genuinely impressive. Instinctively, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Colossus! Just like Colossus!"

Chapter 10: Thunder, Steel, and Saitama?

"Colossus?!"

When Kaminari said this, both families were momentarily taken aback. But as they considered the nickname, they quickly realized how fitting it was for Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu.

Especially Tetsutetsu himself, who shot to his feet, nearly knocking over his chair, and shouted, "Cool!" His face lit up with excitement. "That name is awesome, right?!"

He was over the moon. Despite not having even passed the Hero exam yet, and being far from a professional Hero, those thoughts didn't cross his mind. He was confident that he was destined to succeed, and that was enough for now.

Just as Tetsutetsu was about to speak again, a calm voice interrupted him.

"Young man, this is a public place. If you're going to shout, take it outside..."

Tetsutetsu turned to see a bald man about his own height, wearing a simple set of work clothes. As Tetsutetsu's eyes fell on the nametag reading "Store Manager," he quickly put two and two together.

He immediately bowed his head in apology, first to the manager and then to the other customers who had been startled. Though he had a rough, straightforward personality, he wasn't lacking in manners something drilled into him by his father, a retired soldier.

Seeing that it was just a young boy getting a bit too excited, the patrons accepted his apologies without much fuss.

Kaminari, sitting nearby, couldn't help but feel a bit strange. It was as if Saitama from One Punch Man were standing just a few meters away... The resemblance was uncanny, right down to the blank expression. It was surreal to see someone who looked so much like a famous character in real life.

The bald store manager, satisfied with Tetsutetsu's apology, merely nodded and walked away, leaving Tetsutetsu to sheepishly return to his seat. "Hehe, I got a bit carried away!"

"But seriously, I really like that name, Colossus! When I become a professional Hero, can I use it?" Tetsutetsu asked, his eyes filled with hopeful anticipation.

Kaminari didn't hesitate. "Of course! Go ahead and use it." After all, trading a cool name for the goodwill of a steel-skinned future Hero seemed like a fair exchange.

"Awesome!" Tetsutetsu beamed, clenching his fists like a kid who'd just been given the best present ever. "From now on, you're my partner, Kaminari!"

"If anyone messes with you at U.A., I'll protect you!" he declared boldly.

Kaminari's eyebrows twitched as he glanced at his parents, who were stifling their laughter behind their hands. Suppressing a grin himself, he gave Tetsutetsu a slight nod and said, "I'll count on you then."

"Leave it to me!" Tetsutetsu thumped his chest in response, his loyalty unmistakable.

But as the conversation continued, Kaminari's curiosity began to grow. He wondered whether his own lightning-based Quirk would have any effect on Tetsutetsu's steel transformation. He also found himself questioning how he measured up against his peers in general.

Up to this point, his training had been in solitude, practicing alone in Omiya Park. Although he had developed a few techniques that suited him, he'd never actually tested them against a real opponent. The only "combat" experience he had was using his Quirk for a makeshift electrotherapy session on an old man as first aid, which was far from an actual fight.

This lack of real-world experience weighed on his mind, especially with the practical exam approaching. It was like a martial artist who had only ever practiced in a dojo, suddenly thrust into a real fight. Mistakes were inevitable.

He needed someone to spar with someone tough enough to handle his abilities without getting seriously hurt. And from what he could see, Tetsutetsu might just be the perfect practice partner… or, in Kaminari's mind, the ideal punching bag—erhm, sparring partner.

As soon as the idea popped into his head, Kaminari's gaze shifted toward Tetsutetsu with newfound interest. Originally, he had planned to take it easy before the exam, but now he felt a sudden urge to gain some practical experience.

Although "experience" was an abstract concept, its impact on combat effectiveness was very real. Kaminari knew this well from the countless shonen stories he had consumed over the years.

"By the way, what kind of Quirk do you have?" Tetsutetsu asked out of the blue, his curiosity getting the better of him. He didn't overthink things like Kaminari did; he was simply following the natural flow of their conversation.

After all, he had shared his own Quirk, so it was only fair that Kaminari did the same. It was the kind of straightforward honesty you'd expect from a fifteen-year-old who hadn't yet been hardened by the world.

"I have a lightning-type Quirk called 'Electrification.' It allows me to generate and release electricity from my body," Kaminari explained plainly. Since he had decided to befriend Tetsutetsu, there was no reason to be secretive. Sincerity was the foundation of any friendship.

"Electrification? That sounds so cool!" Tetsutetsu said, his enthusiasm as evident as ever. But his next words came with the bluntness typical of his personality. "But I can't think of any famous lightning-type Heroes off the top of my head. Dad, do you know any?"

The question made both fathers pause in thought. Kaminari's dad racked his brain but couldn't recall any notable lightning-based professional Heroes in Japan.

"No, I can't say that I do," Kaminari's father admitted. He was careful with his words, preferring to say it himself rather than let Tetsutetsu's dad risk offending Kaminari. After all, Kaminari was still just a teenager, and young egos could be fragile.

However, Kaminari himself wasn't so easily bothered. He took the response in stride, shrugging lightly. "Well, that just means I'll be the first. I'll become the top lightning-type Hero in the future."

The confidence in his eyes was unmistakable, radiating as brightly as his Quirk. Why should he downplay his ambition? There was no need for false modesty.

"Well said! That's the spirit, son!" Kaminari's father cheered, his pride unmistakable. Kaminari's mother was also beaming, her heart swelling with admiration. To her, her son had always been amazing, but after seeing his solo performance, she had become his biggest fan.

"That's the attitude a young Hero should have!" Tetsutetsu's father agreed, impressed by Kaminari's unwavering self-belief. He and his son found the boy's confident demeanor refreshing, a stark contrast to the timid types they couldn't stand.

At that moment, Kaminari pulled out his phone. "Let's exchange contact info. That way, we can stay in touch."

"Sure!" Tetsutetsu agreed enthusiastically. As soon as they had swapped numbers, Kaminari made an unexpected suggestion.

"By the way, how about meeting at Omiya Park tomorrow?"

Tetsutetsu blinked in surprise. "Uh, Omiya Park? Why there? The cherry blossoms aren't even in bloom yet, right?"

Kaminari just grinned. "Let's just say I have something in mind."

Unfazed by the cryptic answer, Tetsutetsu slapped his hands together and declared, "Deal! I'll meet you at the park entrance tomorrow!"

Chapter Text

Chapter 11: Witnesses

8:55 a.m.

"Kaminari, you're too slow!"

At the entrance to Omiya Park, Tetsutetsu stood impatiently in a white T-shirt and jeans, his tone almost accusatory as Kaminari approached.

"Huh?"

Kaminari glanced at his watch a Pikachu-themed one, naturally—and looked back at Tetsutetsu, bewildered. "What do you mean? I'm not late. We agreed to meet at nine."

Kaminari had slept in a bit that morning, enjoying a rare full night of rest after the excitement of last night's barbecue. He hadn't rushed; after all, it was only a short walk to the park. By his watch, he was perfectly on time. It was 8:55, a full five minutes early.

But Tetsutetsu wasn't having it. "Showing up exactly on time isn't good enough," he lectured, his voice unexpectedly serious. "You should always aim to arrive at least ten minutes early. Half an hour, if possible. You never know what might happen on the way."

Kaminari was a little taken aback. For someone who seemed so rough around the edges, Tetsutetsu had a surprisingly strict sense of time. This unexpected seriousness added a new dimension to Kaminari's perception of him, deepening his appreciation for the boy's character.

Maybe this guy was worth keeping around after all. A Quirk user with a straightforward personality, a sense of discipline, and a strong set of principles could definitely be a trustworthy ally. Someone you could count on to watch your back.

"Well, that's just what my dad taught me…" Tetsutetsu added, scratching his head sheepishly.

"…Right." Kaminari gave him a flat look, then chuckled. "You know, if you hadn't said that last part, you'd have sounded a lot cooler."

"Wait, really?" Tetsutetsu touched his spiky hair instinctively, then laughed awkwardly. "Uh, just pretend I didn't say that then."

Kaminari rolled his eyes and shook his head with a smile, stepping past Tetsutetsu and heading into the park. "Come on, we've got stuff to do."

"Stuff?" Tetsutetsu hurried to catch up. "You still haven't told me why we're here. What are we doing?"

"Trust me, I'm taking you somewhere interesting," Kaminari said with a knowing grin.

Tetsutetsu seemed skeptical. "You're not just bringing me here to give me a tour of the park, are you?" he asked cautiously. "I mean, I've lived in Saitama my whole life. I've been to Omiya Park like… a dozen times."

Kaminari shook his head, amused at how far off the mark Tetsutetsu was. "No, it's not that. There's a place I want to show you. It's deeper in the park—a little secret spot."

Tetsutetsu looked like he was about to say something else, but Kaminari cut him off. "You'll see when we get there."

They continued walking, heading further into the park. After about ten minutes, they had reached an area where few people ventured. The trees thickened, and the sounds of the main paths faded away. The dense foliage of ancient cherry trees lined the narrow dirt trail, and underbrush blocked the view in every direction.

Then Kaminari abruptly veered off the path, pushing his way through a thicket of bushes.

Tetsutetsu hesitated, feeling an odd sense of unease. The thought crossed his mind that maybe this wasn't just about showing him a secret spot. Was this some kind of… test? Or worse, some bizarre initiation? His steps faltered, and he whispered nervously.

"Uh, Kaminari…"

"What?" Kaminari glanced back without stopping, already near the end of the bushy path.

"It's just… um…" Tetsutetsu stammered. "Look, I'm a straight guy, okay? I, uh, only like girls…"

"What?!"

Kaminari froze mid-step, processing what Tetsutetsu had just implied. He then looked around at the secluded surroundings and finally pieced together what his friend was getting at.

"You idiot!" Kaminari shouted, turning back to face him, his face twisted in a mix of disbelief and irritation. "What kind of nonsense are you even thinking?!"

"Oh… so that's not it?" Tetsutetsu's confusion faded into relief. He realized he'd completely misunderstood the situation.

"Of course not! Geez, just follow me." Kaminari grumbled, stomping forward with renewed determination. "We're almost there."

But as Kaminari led the way deeper into the thicket, he mentally noted that he owed Tetsutetsu a little payback for this awkward moment. Sure, the guy was taller, but did he really think Kaminari would lose in a one-on-one? What a joke.

Height wasn't everything. Tetsutetsu might be 1.74 meters, but Kaminari wasn't exactly short at 1.68. Besides, that kind of difference wasn't a big deal. It wasn't like Kaminari was jealous or anything. No way. Not a chance.

"Here we are," Kaminari announced, stepping out of the brush and into a clearing.

Tetsutetsu emerged right behind him and immediately found himself at a loss for words.

The space before them was roughly the size of a basketball court, enclosed on all sides by thick vegetation. On the far end, a small raised mound jutted out of the ground, scarred with countless blackened burn marks. It looked like it had been subjected to years of abuse, pockmarked with craters and darkened streaks.

Nearby, a yellow umbrella stood anchored into the ground, its canopy adorned with dozens of tiny Pikachu patterns. Beneath it were a plastic table and a pair of matching chairs. A Pikachu alarm clock sat on the table, ticking away quietly.

But the real eye-catchers were the ground itself and the cracked surface of the mound. The earth was riddled with deep fissures of various sizes, crisscrossing the area like an intricate web. The sight of it all made Tetsutetsu's jaw drop.

"Are you kidding me? What's with this place?" he exclaimed, his eyes wide. "It looks like some kind of battlefield!"

"Not quite," Kaminari said, his voice steady. He walked toward the mound, his back to Tetsutetsu, and placed a hand on its rough surface. "This isn't a battlefield. It's a training ground. My training ground."

He turned around to face Tetsutetsu, his expression serious. "I've been coming here for the past nine years, practicing and refining my Quirk. Every mark, every crack you see is a witness to the effort I've put in."

Kaminari's gaze drifted toward the Pikachu alarm clock on the table—a small, silent companion that had been present for almost every one of those training sessions. For him, this little corner of the park was more than just a place to train; it was a testament to his determination and growth.

"So," he continued, his tone lighter as he extended a hand toward Tetsutetsu, "how about it? Want to spar with me here? I'm guessing you've never had the chance to fight someone while using your Quirk at full power, right?"

Chapter 12: Can't Keep Up!

"Fighting with Quirks?!"

Tetsutetsu's eyes widened in surprise. Kaminari had expected at least some hesitation, maybe even a refusal, but the boy's enthusiastic reaction caught him off guard, rendering any words of persuasion Kaminari had prepared useless.

"Are you serious? We're really gonna fight using our Quirks?" Tetsutetsu asked, his voice filled with excitement. He stared at Kaminari, half-expecting him to backtrack or change his mind. After all, using Quirks in a fight was technically illegal unless you were a licensed Hero, and he'd been itching for a chance like this for a long time.

For years, his own Quirk had felt like a waste, unable to be used for anything meaningful. Was there anything more frustrating?

"Absolutely," Kaminari confirmed without hesitation. "That's exactly why I brought you here."

At this, Tetsutetsu's excitement reached new heights. He couldn't help but look at Kaminari with even more eagerness. But a flicker of doubt crossed his face, and he frowned slightly as a thought occurred to him.

"But… what if I hurt you?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern. His Quirk, after all, wasn't just about being made of steel—it was about having the raw power and resilience of it too. He could break rocks with a single punch, and if he accidentally hit Kaminari too hard...

"Hurt me?" Kaminari scoffed, already seeing where Tetsutetsu's thoughts were headed. But he needed Tetsutetsu to fight without holding back, so he swallowed his amusement and let his confidence shine through.

"I think you're dreaming if you think that'll happen," he retorted, smirking.

KZZT-CRACK!*

Electricity crackled as Kaminari clenched his fists, arcs of golden lightning snaking across his skin. He stared Tetsutetsu down with a look of cool disdain, his body glowing with energy. "Your Quirk may be tough, but mine…" He paused, letting the electricity sizzle for effect. "…is on a whole different level."

Tetsutetsu blinked, momentarily speechless. He hadn't expected this side of Kaminari. In the short time they'd known each other, Kaminari had seemed like a laid-back, easygoing guy. But now, there was a fire in his eyes that Tetsutetsu hadn't seen before.

It didn't bother him, though. If anything, it fired him up even more. After all, what was the point of a fight if your opponent didn't have some fire of their own?

"Hahaha! Then don't blame me for not holding back!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed, his voice booming with excitement.

With a deep breath, he activated his Quirk, his entire body turning a shiny black as steel encased him from head to toe. He clenched his fists, testing his hardened form, and the sound of metal grinding against metal echoed through the clearing.

BOOM!*

With a powerful step, Tetsutetsu launched himself forward, the ground beneath his foot cracking from the force. He charged at Kaminari like a human battering ram, his steel-coated fists ready to smash through anything in his way.

KZZT-CRACK!*

Electricity arced across Kaminari's body as he braced himself, deciding to meet Tetsutetsu's charge head-on. He needed to gauge the difference in their strength, and there was no better way than a direct clash.

"Electric Light Fist!"

"Bring it on!" Tetsutetsu roared back. He saw Kaminari's fist crackling with electricity and felt his excitement swell. He was confident that his steel would be more than a match for a little lightning.

BOOM!*

The two fists collided, and the impact sent a shockwave rippling through the clearing. The golden electricity exploded outward from Kaminari's fist, and he felt it surge through Tetsutetsu's arm. But as the current coursed across Tetsutetsu's steel body, Kaminari's confident expression faltered.

WHAM!*

A moment later, Tetsutetsu's fist broke through the electric resistance and slammed into Kaminari's chest, knocking him back several steps. The impact left him breathless, and he could feel the dull ache spreading through his torso.

It wasn't a light hit, but it wasn't enough to knock him down either. He dug his feet into the ground, steadying himself as quickly as he could.

Tetsutetsu, meanwhile, held back from pressing his advantage, staying where he was and watching Kaminari curiously. The remnants of the electric current still clung to his body, crackling and popping. But aside from a mild tingling sensation in his fist, he didn't feel much else.

"Heh, looks like your electricity doesn't affect me that much," Tetsutetsu taunted with a grin.

Kaminari took a deep breath, rubbing his sore chest. He wasn't particularly surprised by the result. "So, going head-to-head doesn't work…"

He thought back to the impact and what he had felt. It wasn't just that Tetsutetsu's Quirk made him hard as steel; there was more to it than that. "It's not just the steel… He's got enhanced strength and endurance too," Kaminari muttered to himself. "Makes sense, though. A body like that would need some serious muscle to move around."

It was a passive trait, much like his own immunity to electricity. And with the way his Quirk worked, Kaminari suspected that as he grew stronger, he might even gain some resistance to heat and fire after all, lightning did generate high temperatures.

Tetsutetsu broke his train of thought. "Well? Are we done here, or do you want another round?"

Kaminari didn't respond right away. Instead, his eyes narrowed, and a determined smile crept onto his face. "Oh, we're just getting started."

"What?"

Before Tetsutetsu could process the words, Kaminari's entire body lit up with electricity. This time, the golden arcs danced across his whole form, not just his fists.

"You're just gonna crank up the voltage?" Tetsutetsu asked, raising his guard. He wasn't sure if Kaminari was stubbornly refusing to accept that his electricity didn't work, or if he had some other trick up his sleeve. But he wasn't about to let his guard down now.

KZZT-CRACK!*

In an instant, Kaminari surged forward, his entire body moving with a speed that seemed almost unnatural. Tetsutetsu's eyes widened as he watched Kaminari close the distance in a blur of golden light. He tried to react, raising his arm to intercept, but it felt like his limbs were moving through molasses.

KRAK!*

Kaminari's fist connected with Tetsutetsu's chest, sending a burst of electricity across the steel surface. Tetsutetsu gritted his teeth, but his real concern wasn't the hit—it was the realization that Kaminari was already slipping past him, ducking to his left and circling around.

His brain registered every movement, and he could clearly see Kaminari's every step and shift in weight. Yet somehow, his own body felt slow and unresponsive, as if it were lagging behind his thoughts.

"What…?" Tetsutetsu's frustration grew as he spun around, only to find that Kaminari had already moved out of range again.

His mind knew what to do, knew exactly how to counter every move Kaminari made but his body simply couldn't keep up.

Why? Why did it feel like his own limbs weren't responding the way they should? Why was he always a beat behind?

Chapter 13: High-Speed Movement

Boom!*

Kaminari appeared behind Tetsutetsu once more, his fist crackling with electricity as it struck. Just before Tetsutetsu could turn around to defend himself, Kaminari had already dodged to the right and landed a punch on his dazed opponent's side.

To be fair, the reason Kaminari could attack so recklessly without worrying about causing real harm was thanks to Tetsutetsu's Quirk. His steel transformation made him the perfect sparring partner, a human punching bag that could take a beating without getting seriously injured.

As for Kaminari's current technique, it wasn't anything particularly complex. It was essentially an extension of his previous "electrotherapy" move, except this time he was using the electricity to stimulate his muscles rather than someone else's heart.

By directing a controlled amount of current to his muscle cells, he could temporarily enhance his speed, reflexes, and strength. The electric stimulation activated his muscles, allowing him to move with heightened agility. The increase in speed was the most noticeable, though his strength benefited as well. After all, speed without a solid foundation of strength wouldn't get him very far.

The idea for this technique came from his memories of past inspirations. While it wasn't quite on the level of Enel's lightning powers from One Piece, it was something akin to Killua's "Godspeed" from Hunter x Hunter. Of course, Kaminari's current version was still a far cry from that kind of mastery.

For now, it was more like a low-level version of "Godspeed," though he preferred to think of it as the first stage of his own path toward perfecting that kind of high-speed movement. And so, he had given it a fitting name:

"High-Speed Movement."

The name came to him almost by chance after he'd initially perfected the technique, as he had been fiddling with his Pikachu-themed alarm clock at the time. The move's description matched the ability "Agility" from Pokémon: "Makes the user's body lighter, greatly increasing speed."

It was simple and fitting—a reminder of his roots and inspirations.

Boom!*

At this point, Tetsutetsu was starting to lose his footing. The repeated hits and constant electric shocks were taking their toll. His balance wavered, and with one last punch from Kaminari, he finally toppled to the ground, electric sparks still dancing across his metal skin.

"Tetsutetsu!" Kaminari called out, letting the electricity dissipate from his body as he quickly ran over to help his friend up. He hadn't expected the steel boy to go down like this. After all, Tetsutetsu had taken plenty of punches earlier without showing any signs of weakening.

"Huh? Oh, I'm fine!" Tetsutetsu said, shaking his head and standing up quickly as he brushed himself off.

"What were you thinking about?" Kaminari asked, skeptical that his punch had actually been strong enough to knock down someone as durable as Tetsutetsu.

"Hehe, I just got distracted for a second…" Tetsutetsu admitted, scratching his head in embarrassment. Then, with a puzzled look, he asked, "What was that just now? How did you get so much faster?"

Kaminari was about to explain when Tetsutetsu interrupted himself. "No, wait… you weren't that fast. I could still see your movements. I just… couldn't keep up."

Kaminari grinned, realizing that Tetsutetsu had hit the nail on the head. "Exactly. It's about agility."

"Agility?" Tetsutetsu repeated, frowning in confusion.

Kaminari nodded. "My movement speed did increase, but not to the point where you couldn't see me. Your eyes and mind could still follow what I was doing, but there's a difference between seeing something and being able to react to it."

He continued, "My attack speed, my ability to change direction, and my reflexes are all several steps ahead of your body's reaction time."

"So, that's it…" Tetsutetsu murmured, deep in thought as he tried to figure out how to close the gap between his reactions and Kaminari's movements.

Kaminari tapped his friend's steel-coated shoulder and added, "Plus, your body is heavy when you're transformed."

"Even though you're much stronger than the average person, your body mass and the density of your steel form slow you down in terms of quick movements. You might have raw power, but if you can't hit me, then what's the use? You can't just stand there and let me keep taking shots at you."

Tetsutetsu didn't like that, and his expression showed it. "But you haven't actually done any damage to me," he argued. "And I'm immune to your electricity!"

"It's like trying to swat a mosquito with a cannon," he continued, his frustration mounting. "Sure, you might be fast, but if you get caught even once, it'll be game over."

Gotcha, Kaminari thought with a small spark of satisfaction. His earlier taunts had worked; Tetsutetsu was riled up, and that's exactly what he had wanted. The steel boy's overconfidence had given Kaminari the opening he needed to try out a special move that might just be effective against him.

Of course, if Kaminari really wanted to hurt Tetsutetsu, he could push his Quirk to its limits and unleash a massive surge of electricity a million-volt shock, perhaps. He doubted that Tetsutetsu was completely immune to such an extreme amount of electrical power.

But that would have some… unpleasant side effects. Even if Tetsutetsu didn't sustain serious injuries, the resulting brain overload would probably leave him in a dazed state, giggling and giving a thumbs-up like a brainless idiot.

And Kaminari didn't want to win like that.

He rolled his eyes at Tetsutetsu's boast and asked, "Oh, you're not convinced?"

"Of course not!" Tetsutetsu huffed, his face a mix of determination and irritation. "If I just stand here, I bet you couldn't do anything to me! There's no way you can keep this up forever!"

"Funny, I could say the same thing about you," Kaminari replied dryly. "You can't keep that steel form going indefinitely, can you?"

Tetsutetsu flinched. "How did you know that?!"

The look of shock on Tetsutetsu's face was almost comical. He had been certain that he hadn't mentioned any limits to his Quirk.

"It's not that hard to figure out," Kaminari said with a knowing smirk. "When you get to U.A., you'll learn all about it."

Kaminari's eyes gleamed with intent as he sparked up once more, electricity starting to crackle over his body. "You think I can't do anything to you? Let's see about that."

"What are you planning?" Tetsutetsu asked, narrowing his eyes as he braced himself.

With a confident grin, Kaminari said, "I'm going to show you why I said you might still be living in a dream. Get ready, because you're about to learn just how powerful lightning can really be."

He let the electricity flow through him, feeling the familiar surge of energy build up in his muscles. "Don't worry," he added with a mischievous glint in his eyes, "this won't hurt… much."

Chapter 14: Ghost

This time, Tetsutetsu had learned his lesson. He kept his focus on Kaminari, staying completely silent and fully alert, his body in a boxing stance. He wasn't going to be caught off guard again. Every muscle was tense, ready to react at a moment's notice.

"I'll end this in one move," Kaminari declared as he charged forward, golden lightning crackling around him. His right palm was wrapped in a fierce, concentrated energy that was far more intense than any of his previous attacks. The air around him sizzled, carrying a faint hint of sulfur that dispersed almost instantly in the forest breeze.

"Bring it on!" Tetsutetsu shouted, his eyes locked on Kaminari, who was closing the distance rapidly.

Just when Tetsutetsu expected Kaminari to launch another straight attack with his electrified palm, Kaminari's feet made an unexpected twist, propelling him to Tetsutetsu's left side.

"So, you're trying to get behind me again?" Tetsutetsu thought, recognizing the tactic from before. But this time, he didn't rely solely on his eyes to follow Kaminari's movements. Instead, he trusted his instincts and turned to defend even before seeing Kaminari's next move.

Surprisingly, it worked. He managed to track Kaminari, his eyes meeting Kaminari's just as the latter tried to circle behind him.

"He's keeping up?" Kaminari thought, intrigued by the determination in Tetsutetsu's gaze. It was impressive how quickly he'd adapted, considering Kaminari had only briefly explained his speed advantage moments earlier.

"Maybe this guy really does have a knack for fighting," Kaminari mused. It wasn't just his strength that made Tetsutetsu formidable; he had a kind of raw combat intuition that Kaminari found impressive. The electric stimulation coursing through Kaminari's body was heightening his senses, allowing him to think more quickly and control his high-speed movements with precision.

"But let's see how long you can keep this up."

Without hesitation, Kaminari shifted tactics. He abandoned his previous strategy and began moving in rapid circles around Tetsutetsu, maintaining a one-meter distance. He darted left and right, accelerating his pace, trying to force Tetsutetsu to lose track.

Tetsutetsu spun around desperately, doing his best to keep up. He knew that if he allowed Kaminari to get behind him again, it would be like the first round all over—Kaminari raining blows from every angle while he had no chance to fight back.

His frustration was growing, especially since, as he had pointed out earlier, Kaminari's electric punches hadn't done any real damage. But being kept on the defensive like this was maddening.

What Tetsutetsu didn't realize, though, was something Kaminari knew all too well:

"If you defend for too long, you'll eventually lose."

The thought resonated in Kaminari's mind as he narrowed his eyes, electricity flaring up with newfound intensity. He saw a brief opening, a momentary misstep in Tetsutetsu's footing and that was all he needed.

"Now!"

"Claw Strike!"

Kaminari's right palm, wrapped in a continuous current, struck like a blade. He dashed forward, exploiting Tetsutetsu's split-second vulnerability, and chopped downward at the back of his neck.

KZZT-CRACK!*

A burst of electricity, twice as powerful as his usual Lightning Fist, erupted upon impact, and Kaminari felt the current penetrate the hardened steel exterior. He had gambled correctly Tetsutetsu's Quirk didn't fully transform his internal anatomy. The steel transformation was limited to his skin, hair, and nails, leaving his muscles and nervous system relatively unprotected.

The electric current surged into Tetsutetsu's nervous system, temporarily disrupting the signals between his brain and body.

Kaminari landed lightly on his feet, halting his high-speed movements as he stood behind Tetsutetsu, who had gone completely rigid. He reached out and tapped the steel boy's back gently with a finger.

"It's over. You've lost."

Tetsutetsu's eyes went wide in panic. His body wasn't responding, his limbs were frozen, and his Quirk had deactivated on its own. He couldn't move his arms or legs; even his mouth refused to cooperate, rendering him speechless. Only his eyes could move freely, darting around in bewilderment.

"What… What did he do to me?" Tetsutetsu's mind raced. For the first time, a trace of fear crept into his thoughts. He was completely paralyzed.

"Relax, you're not hurt," Kaminari assured him, stepping in front of Tetsutetsu and speaking calmly. "You'll be fine in about a minute."

Tetsutetsu's panic subsided slightly at Kaminari's words, but he was still desperate for an explanation.

"I used an enhanced version of my electric palm strike," Kaminari began. "The current penetrated your iron skin and disrupted the electrical signals in your nervous system. Basically, I temporarily cut off the communication between your brain and most of your body."

He added, "That's why you're having trouble moving. Your body's response signals are all messed up. In a severe case, you could even find yourself doing the exact opposite of what you intended."

Tetsutetsu's mind spun as he tried to process Kaminari's explanation. The terminology was familiar, he'd heard some of it in school but the practical application was far beyond anything he'd expected to encounter in a sparring match.

Kaminari saw the blank look in Tetsutetsu's eyes and sighed. "In simpler terms, I've temporarily disabled your control over your body. Since Quirks are also regulated by the brain, you're unable to use your steel transformation right now."

He added, "You might still be able to move a bit if you try hard enough, but it'll be unpredictable. The current disrupted the normal pathways in your nervous system, so your commands could end up controlling the wrong parts of your body."

As if to test Kaminari's words, Tetsutetsu tried to lift his right arm, only to find his left leg twitching instead, almost causing him to fall over.

"Whoa, careful!" Kaminari caught him just in time, helping him regain his balance. "I wasn't finished explaining yet. Your body can react, but because the signals are scrambled, it won't always do what you intend."

Kaminari thought for a moment, then decided to put it in terms Tetsutetsu might better understand. "You know when you play online games, and there's a skill that silences your character or adds a fear effect? Think of it like that. Except instead of your character, it's your body that's being affected. Your Quirk is the one being silenced."

However, Kaminari didn't mention that for this technique to work, he had to strike a specific spot on the back of the neck. His control over the electrical currents wasn't refined enough yet to apply the same effect elsewhere on the body.

As Tetsutetsu's muscles slowly regained their normal function, he let out a shaky breath and collapsed to the ground in a sitting position, his mind still reeling from the experience. The sensation of being completely helpless had been terrifying.

"You okay?" Kaminari asked, sitting down next to him. He felt a pang of guilt for pushing the match as far as he did. "Sorry about that. I shouldn't have used that move on you. But you've got to understand your Quirk's defense is so strong, I didn't have many options."

The apology seemed to hit the right note. Tetsutetsu, who had been staring at the ground, finally looked up, a grin spreading across his face. "Don't worry about it, I'm fine! That was actually kind of awesome," he said, waving off the apology. "What do you call that move, anyway?"

Kaminari paused. He hadn't actually thought of a name for it yet. He didn't want to use something obvious like "Thunder Chop," and he was hoping to develop a whole set of techniques in the future. As he recalled the sensation of controlling Tetsutetsu's movements and the eerie stillness that had taken over his body, an idea came to him.

"Fear your own body… Silence your own Quirk… It's like there's a ghost inside you," Kaminari muttered to himself.

Chapter 15: Mysterious Theory

"Reggae," Kaminari said with a grin.

Tetsutetsu, still sitting cross-legged on the ground, nodded hesitantly. "Yeah, that name fits. It felt like I was possessed or something… like a ghost was controlling me."

Kaminari's expression shifted, and he asked, "How do you feel?"

Tetsutetsu blinked, not immediately understanding what Kaminari was getting at. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"The feeling of fighting!" Kaminari clarified, his eyes lighting up with excitement. He raised his hands, small arcs of electricity crackling between his fingers. "Didn't you feel it? The thrill of using your Quirk to its fullest, of clashing with someone else at full power wasn't it exhilarating?"

Tetsutetsu thought back to their sparring session. There was definitely something different about the experience, something he hadn't felt in the fifteen years he'd lived. The clash between his steel body and Kaminari's lightning had felt like a dance of opposing forces, each trying to overwhelm the other. It was as if every punch, every shock, had resonated through his entire being.

He couldn't deny it fighting like that had felt like gulping down ice-cold soda on a scorching summer day, every nerve tingling with a strange kind of joy. And then there was that one moment…

Tetsutetsu recalled the rush of satisfaction he'd felt when he'd managed to catch Kaminari's movements out of the corner of his eye, relying on pure instinct to turn and face his opponent in time. It had felt like he'd conquered something, overcome a hurdle through sheer determination and wits. The feeling was almost as rewarding as the day he'd passed the U.A. written exam.

However, his expression shifted slightly as he looked at Kaminari and said, "But you're the one who was doing most of the beating. If anyone was having a good time, it was you, right?"

Kaminari almost choked on his own laughter. "The way this guy words things..." He couldn't help but cough and quickly steer the conversation back on track. "Alright, alright, let's not get hung up on who had the better time," he said, trying to keep a straight face.

"Let's talk about your Quirk."

Tetsutetsu blinked, momentarily thrown off track. "My Quirk? What about it?"

"Have you ever trained your Quirk before?" Kaminari asked, tilting his head slightly.

"Trained? No," Tetsutetsu replied, his brows furrowing in confusion. "I thought Quirks were just… well, you know, natural. You're born with them, right?"

"That's true," Kaminari nodded, "but that doesn't mean they can't be improved. Think of it like working out. You can build your muscles and get stronger through exercise, and the same logic applies to Quirks."

"Wait a second… That means…" Tetsutetsu's eyes widened as realization dawned. He looked around the clearing and remembered what Kaminari had told him before. "So this is where you've been training your Quirk? All those things you just did—your speed, that Reggae move were they all developed here?"

"That's right," Kaminari confirmed. "I started training my Quirk here nine years ago after reading some professional reports online about Quirk development. I figured if I could make my body stronger through regular exercise, then I could definitely strengthen my Quirk too."

"Nine years… all on your own?" Tetsutetsu muttered, his voice trailing off. For some reason, his frustration over losing to Kaminari started to fade, replaced by a newfound respect for the boy standing in front of him.

Tetsutetsu glanced at the cracked ground and the scorch marks scattered across the clearing. There was no doubt Kaminari had put in years of hard work. Every mark was a testament to countless hours of training.

Tetsutetsu clenched his fists. "So… does that mean I can make my Quirk stronger through training too?"

"Theoretically, yes," Kaminari replied, "but I'm not a professional Quirk instructor, so I can't say for sure what kind of training would work best for your Quirk."

Tetsutetsu's excitement dipped slightly, but then he remembered that they would be attending U.A. soon. "Well, U.A.'s full of pro Heroes, right? I'm sure I can find someone there who can help me train my Quirk," he said, his confidence returning.

"Exactly. I have my own questions I want to ask the instructors there too," Kaminari said as he stood up and stretched. His legs had gone a bit stiff from sitting for so long.

"But one thing is for sure, training your body will definitely help improve your Quirk, especially since your type of Quirk probably relies more on physical strength."

"In that case, I'll ask my dad to find me a gym tomorrow!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed, clenching his fists.

"And don't forget to come here and spar with me often," Kaminari added, adopting a mock serious expression. "Combat experience is just as important as physical training. We've got the practical exam coming up, and if you're not used to fighting, you might end up freezing up when it matters most."

He continued, "I'm willing to bet a lot of the other students taking the exam have never used their Quirks at full strength before. They probably haven't even had any real combat experience. That gives us a big advantage."

Kaminari's words seemed to hit home, and Tetsutetsu nodded eagerly. He hadn't thought about it before, but it made sense. Most people never got the chance to push their Quirks to the limit, and having an edge in experience could be the key to passing the practical exam.

"Also, even though your Quirk gives you great strength and defense, it has some obvious weaknesses," Kaminari said as he walked over to the plastic table, grabbing a chair.

"Like what?" Tetsutetsu asked, following him.

"For starters, your speed and agility," Kaminari said bluntly. "If you're up against someone faster or someone with long-range attacks, you'll have a hard time. If they keep their distance and wear you down, you won't be able to catch up, let alone land a hit."

He continued, "It's a big problem if you can't close the gap. If your opponent can choose when to engage and when to retreat, you'll always be on the losing side."

Tetsutetsu frowned. "But that's just how my Quirk works, right? It's not like I can change that."

"There are ways to compensate," Kaminari said, shaking his head. "I remember reading that U.A. also has a Support Course. They train students to become support Heroes, and part of their job is to develop gear and gadgets for pro Heroes."

He glanced at Tetsutetsu. "So, the easiest way to cover your weaknesses would be to get some support gear maybe a net launcher to trap opponents at a distance or some kind of booster boots to help increase your movement speed."

Hearing this, Tetsutetsu's face lit up. "That's awesome! I didn't know there were things like that," he said excitedly.

"But don't get too reliant on support gear," Kaminari added, his tone serious. "If you depend too much on gadgets, you might get caught off guard when you're forced to fight without them. For people like us who have strong Quirks, it's better to have a technique or strategy that we've trained ourselves."

"I see… That makes sense," Tetsutetsu nodded. He was starting to see the bigger picture.

"Actually, I think there's a training method that could work for you," Kaminari said, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "It's… unconventional, and it's not something I've ever tried myself, but given your physical condition, it might be just the thing you need."

Tetsutetsu was intrigued. "Really? What is it?"

"Well," Kaminari began slowly, "I've seen this technique in an old anime I used to watch… It involves using the body's natural strength and speed in a very specific way. If you can master it, you could achieve bursts of speed that would let you close the distance between you and your opponent in an instant."

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "It's difficult, though. If I had to rate it, I'd say it's an S-class technique in terms of training difficulty. But… given your physique, there's actually a chance it could work."

Tetsutetsu's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Tell me more! What's the technique?"

Kaminari took a breath. "Alright, listen carefully…"

Chapter 16: The Choice of the Second OP

"This method is a bit complicated, so I'll explain it on the way…" Kaminari said, giving Tetsutetsu a pat on the arm as he walked past him and headed back toward the bushes. Don't ask why he didn't pat him on the shoulder; he just didn't feel like it.

"What? We're leaving already?" Tetsutetsu looked disappointed. They had only been at the training ground for about half an hour. But considering the mysterious training method Kaminari had hinted at, he couldn't help but follow along, even if it meant leaving so soon.

"Today was just to show you the place," Kaminari explained as he led Tetsutetsu out of the wooded area and back onto the cherry blossom-lined path. "Once we get into U.A., we're going to need somewhere private to practice with our Quirks. This spot will be perfect for that."

As they walked, Kaminari continued, "Besides, don't you think our training ground is missing something?"

Tetsutetsu thought about the clearing they'd just left. He couldn't pinpoint anything specific that seemed out of place. "What do you mean?"

Kaminari smirked. "A chair. Didn't you notice there was only one chair out there?"

"Oh, right!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed, realization dawning on him as he lightly slapped his right fist against his left palm in a "Eureka!" moment.

Kaminari sighed, giving him a helpless look. "Why do you think I was sitting cross-legged on the ground with you earlier? I didn't exactly have a choice."

"Hehe… my bad," Tetsutetsu said, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. But it also made him appreciate Kaminari a little more. At least Kaminari wasn't the type to think only of himself; he was someone who paid attention to the little things that made others comfortable.

"So, we're just going to buy a chair now?" Tetsutetsu asked, looking slightly deflated. "When are you going to tell me about that training method?"

"Relax. Didn't I say I'd explain it on the way?" Kaminari replied as he walked ahead. "But…" He paused for effect, "even if this technique works for you, it's not something you'll master overnight."

"Kaminari, stop teasing me and just tell me already!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed, his impatience showing.

"Alright, alright," Kaminari conceded. "The technique is designed to train explosive speed. The basic idea is to use the force of repeated impacts to generate extreme acceleration."

Tetsutetsu's expression turned serious as he listened intently. "And how exactly do I train for that?"

"It's going to sound too simple to be effective," Kaminari began, "but the method is essentially about practicing your stance. You'll have to master a specific rhythm of repeated impacts."

"Stance training? That's it?" Tetsutetsu's face fell. He'd been expecting something more… extraordinary. "You've got to be kidding me. After all that buildup, you're just telling me to stand still?"

Kaminari smirked, clearly amused by Tetsutetsu's reaction. "You think it's that easy? To make this technique work, you'll need to hit the ground ten times within 0.36 seconds. Only then will you generate enough reactive force to propel yourself with the kind of speed we're talking about."

Tetsutetsu's jaw nearly dropped. "Ten times… in 0.36 seconds? Is that even humanly possible?"

"Not for just anyone," Kaminari said, his tone growing serious. "It requires a body that can withstand the stress of such rapid movements. Most people would end up breaking their legs even if they managed to achieve that speed."

He continued, "But with your Quirk, it's not impossible. Your steel form gives you the durability needed to push beyond normal human limits."

Tetsutetsu finally understood why Kaminari had said earlier that this technique was something only he could possibly master. His Quirk, Steel, provided the kind of physical resilience that would be essential for such intense training. The biggest hurdle for most people was already something he could overcome thanks to his Quirk.

But even knowing that didn't make the challenge any less daunting. "Ten times in such a short amount of time… can I really do that?" Tetsutetsu thought, doubt creeping in.

"So, what do you say? Still want to give it a shot?" Kaminari asked, as they exited Omiya Park and made their way toward the subway station, intending to head to Saitama City.

"Of course!" Tetsutetsu said, his voice filled with renewed determination. "Even if it's difficult, at least now I have a goal, a direction to follow. I'm going to give it everything I've got!"

His mind raced with possibilities. If he could master this technique, what else could he do with his newfound speed? Could he adapt it to deliver a flurry of rapid punches or increase the power of a single strike by focusing the momentum?

Kaminari gave him a reassuring pat on the back as they boarded the subway train. "Good. Just don't forget that this will take time. You won't master it by the day of the practical exam. In the meantime, you should work on your fundamentals, learn some basic combat techniques. After all, your Quirk makes you a close-range fighter. You'll need to know how to handle yourself up close."

He continued, "And when you get into U.A., look into ways to improve the hardness of your Quirk. Right now, your steel form isn't at its maximum potential. I was still able to break through with my electricity, so there's room for improvement."

Tetsutetsu nodded along. Kaminari's advice made sense, and he felt lucky to have a friend who seemed to know so much about Quirks and fighting. As far as he was concerned, Kaminari was practically his Quirk coach at this point.

After buying a folding chair at the store, Tetsutetsu decided to head home. He planned to bring the chair with him the next time they visited the training ground.

As they parted ways, the two agreed to meet up again on the day of the U.A. entrance exam.

"Phew, time to take care of my own plans now," Kaminari said to himself as he watched Tetsutetsu head off with the new chair in hand. The thought of the upcoming exam loomed over him, but there was something else he needed to focus on first—his music.

With five days left before the practical test, Kaminari had an idea for a new project. He wanted to release another song before starting school. Once he got into U.A., his schedule would be packed, and he wasn't sure he'd have the time or energy to dedicate to music the way he did now.

"The question is… which song should I choose for my second release?" he muttered, running through a mental list of potential tracks. His first song had been well-received, so this one needed to be just as impactful, if not more so.

There were so many choices. It was a good problem to have, but it was still a problem nonetheless.

"Too many options," he sighed, scratching his head in frustration. "But I guess… that's a nice problem to have."

He knew one thing for certain, whatever he picked, it had to resonate. It had to be something that would stay with his listeners and motivate him, just like Only My Railgun had.

As he wandered through the streets, he found himself humming various melodies, searching for that spark, that feeling that would tell him, "This is the one."

It was time to decide.

Chapter 17: The Old Man and the Song

In Kyoto, Japan, nestled in a tranquil courtyard that exuded a sense of Zen, elegance, and quietude, a white-haired old man in a pristine white kimono sat under the eaves, his gaze resting on a playful Shiba Inu frolicking near a meticulously arranged rock garden. His faint smile radiated a warmth that was both gentle and harmonious, reflecting a life of calm contemplation.

But despite the serene atmosphere, Mitsui Aragoshi, who stood outside in a perfectly tailored black suit, felt a sense of nervousness. In his hand was a folder containing information that felt almost lifeless, its contents cold and factual.

"You found the boy, then," the old man said in a calm, assured voice, as if it were already a foregone conclusion.

"Yes, Grandfather," Mitsui replied, stepping forward to hand over the file. "Here is his information."

The old man took the folder, his eyes settling on a photograph attached to the first page—a photo of a young boy who matched the one he had been seeking. His eyes softened, but rather than reading further, he closed the folder and gestured for Mitsui to recount the details.

"His name is Kaminari Denki, fifteen years old. He recently graduated from Tanibori No. 1 Junior High School in Saitama. His academic record is impressive, he's held the top rank in his grade from elementary school all the way through junior high, without ever slipping to second place," Mitsui recited.

The old man, however, was not easily impressed. As a member of the Mitsui family, he had seen his fair share of prodigies and high achievers. A top ranking in public schools wasn't anything extraordinary for someone with his background. But when Mitsui added, "And he's maintained perfect scores in all subjects for six consecutive years," a hint of surprise flickered in the old man's eyes.

"Oh?" the old man murmured, his tone light. "So, my little benefactor is quite the genius. That's impressive."

Once his grandfather finished speaking, Mitsui continued, "He's also passed the written exam for U.A. High School's Hero course and will be taking the practical exam next week."

"So, he wants to be a Hero," the old man mused, his eyes momentarily distant as he considered this. The thought that the boy who had saved his life aspired to be a Hero seemed fitting. "Yes, that suits him. A boy like that should indeed be a Hero."

"Grandfather," Mitsui ventured carefully, "U.A.'s practical exam has a notoriously high failure rate. Should we reach out to the school on his behalf, maybe through one of our business connections?"

The old man turned his head slightly, a bemused expression on his face. "Do you really think U.A. would take a request from us seriously? Or that the Mitsui family holds sway over an institution like U.A.?"

While the Mitsui family was indeed powerful, with influence that extended across Japan and even internationally, their power lay within the realms of business, not the elite circles of the Hero world. They could indeed leverage some lower-ranking Heroes or influence a few Hero agencies through business ties, but the idea of interfering with U.A.'s internal affairs was absurd.

Mitsui, however, wasn't convinced. "But we've supplied U.A. with Hero costumes and specialized equipment for years now," he insisted. "Surely, they'd give us some consideration?"

The old man's eyes glinted with a touch of amusement at his grandson's naiveté. "You've misunderstood the nature of that relationship," he replied. "It isn't that U.A. needs us. We provide those resources because it grants us access to future Heroes. And besides, several other companies are providing the same services. If you think U.A. sees us as anything more than just another supplier, you're mistaken."

But rather than chastising Mitsui further, the old man simply shook his head and declined the suggestion gently. "No, I'm confident this boy can pass the exam on his own. He has the ability."

For some reason, the memory of his first encounter with Kaminari played in the old man's mind. There had been something about the boy, an aura that exuded both strength and humility, that made him certain Kaminari would succeed.

"As you wish, Grandfather," Mitsui said, bowing his head in acquiescence. Though he still didn't entirely grasp why his grandfather placed so much faith in U.A.'s autonomy, he let the matter drop.

"Shall I arrange to contact the boy, then?" Mitsui asked.

The old man paused, considering the question. He certainly wished to meet Kaminari again and express his gratitude properly, but it didn't feel right to simply thank him with a few words. After all, the boy had saved his life, and that kind of debt demanded more than a token gesture.

His gaze fell on the folder Mitsui had brought, and a thought crossed his mind. Mitsui had mentioned Hero costumes and equipment earlier… Yes, that could work.

"No, let's not contact him directly," the old man said, a small smile curling at the corners of his lips. "I want to give this child a surprise a big one."

"A… surprise?" Mitsui echoed, raising an eyebrow. His grandfather's tone hinted at something more than just a simple gift, but he did not press the matter.

"By the way, is there anything else about him? What about his family?" the old man asked. If he couldn't repay Kaminari directly, he could at least make life easier for those close to him. That would be the least he could do.

Mitsui flipped through his mental notes on Kaminari's file. "His father started a small toy company a few years ago," he began. "And Kaminari himself is something of a musician. He's an independent artist who uploads his songs on MTV's music platform. One of his tracks is getting pretty popular, but he's not that well-known yet."

"A musician, too?" the old man chuckled, intrigued by the boy's multifaceted talents. Kaminari was only fifteen, yet he had already achieved more than many adults. With perfect grades, entry into the Hero program, and a budding music career, it was clear that Kaminari was a truly exceptional young man.

"Which company owns that music platform?" the old man asked, curious about whether there might be an easy connection he could leverage.

"It's part of Viacom Media Group, based in the U.S.," Mitsui replied.

"Do we have any dealings with them?"

"Not directly, no," Mitsui admitted.

"It doesn't matter," the old man said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Speak to your father and have him reach out to someone at Viacom. See if they can give this boy some special attention on the music platform. It shouldn't be a difficult favor to ask."

At the level the Mitsui family operated, arranging a meeting with Viacom's executives wouldn't be a challenge. Even if they hadn't done business before, there was always room for mutually beneficial arrangements, especially with such a simple request.

"As for his father's company," the old man continued, "find a way to give it a little extra support. Nothing too overt, but make sure they get some favorable deals."

Mitsui nodded, committing the instructions to memory. "Understood. Is there anything else, Grandfather?"

"That will be all," the old man said, rising from his seat. "You may go." He moved gracefully to the edge of the porch, glancing out toward the Shiba Inu still playing in the yard.

"Yes, Grandfather." Mitsui bowed again and began to walk away. But before he reached the courtyard exit, his grandfather's voice stopped him.

"One more thing," the old man said, his tone contemplative. "Have someone arrange for me to listen to this boy's music… I'd like to hear his song."

Chapter 18: Hero!

Office of the President, Kaminari Toy Co., Ltd., Saitama City.

"Yes, I'll make sure he prepares some new material as soon as possible."

"Thank you very much."

Kaminari's father, dressed in a formal suit, slowly hung up the phone, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. The call had come from Japan's MTV music network, informing him that they intended to heavily promote his son next year. However, one song alone, Only My Railgun, wouldn't suffice for a full-scale push. They needed more material preferably a new song.

It was good news, great news, even. Some up-and-coming singers would be over the moon at the opportunity. But for Kaminari's father, there were doubts lingering in the back of his mind.

The core issue was that new song request. How could he be sure his son could come up with another track as strong as the first? Inspiration didn't always strike twice, especially not on demand. Creativity wasn't an exact science, after all.

"Hmm… I'd better ask him first."

Now, he was filled with concern, not only about whether Kaminari could deliver another high-quality song, but also whether the request would put too much pressure on him. After all, the U.A. High School entrance exam was next week, and he didn't want anything distracting Kaminari from what he believed was more important: getting into U.A. and pursuing a career as a professional Hero.

"If it doesn't work out, we'll just let this music opportunity go. Getting into U.A. comes first," he decided.

Having made up his mind, he took out his phone and quickly dialed his son's number, listening anxiously to the rings.

"Dad?" Kaminari's voice came through, sounding slightly confused.

"Well, um… I just wanted to ask, have you been working on any new songs lately?"

Kaminari, who had just reached the ground floor of the office building, stopped in his tracks. He glanced up toward the floor where his father's company was located. "How did you know I was planning to release a new song?"

His father's unexpected question had caught him off guard. He hadn't told anyone about his plans yet.

"Huh?" His father was taken aback for a moment before quickly responding, "You actually have a new song? Since when?"

"I've been working on something for a while," Kaminari explained. "With U.A. starting soon, I wasn't sure I'd have time for music, so I figured I'd release my second single beforehand."

He paused, still puzzled. "But seriously, how did you know about the new song?"

His father let out a small laugh and explained the call from MTV, mentioning how they wanted more content if they were going to focus on promoting him.

Kaminari's initial surprise quickly gave way to understanding. He wasn't too shocked by MTV's interest. After all, Only My Railgun was a solid song, and its sales had been quite promising.

However, what Kaminari didn't realize was that the sudden attention wasn't just about the quality of his song. Without the context of a popular anime or established fame, Only My Railgun would have been just another good track in a sea of music. Moreover, other artists on the platform had similar or even better sales numbers. Under normal circumstances, a second promotional push wouldn't happen until a second hit was in the bag.

But thanks to a certain intervention, Kaminari was about to get a rare opportunity.

"Dad, I'm downstairs. I'm coming up now to start recording," Kaminari said as he joined a stream of office workers entering the twenty-story building.

"You're here already?" His father's voice lifted with a mix of surprise and relief. "Great! I'll get everything set up right away."

After hanging up, his father stepped out of his office, a rush of excitement coursing through him. He was eager to hear what Kaminari's new song would sound like. After all, the previous track had climbed to seventh place on the sales charts—without any substantial promotion. Nearly all of its success was thanks to the song's quality, and the rest could be attributed to Kaminari's intriguing persona. There was no denying that the boy's striking looks had caught the attention of more than a few listeners.

"Heh, not bad for a fifteen-year-old," Kaminari's father thought with a grin as he hurried down the hall.

Kaminari followed his father to a small but well-equipped recording studio located within the company's building. It was an unusual setup for a toy company that specialized in Pikachu merchandise, but his father had spared no expense in setting up a decent studio just for him.

The studio even had a professional sound engineer, Dawu, on standby. While Dawu wasn't particularly famous in the industry, he had more than enough skill to handle the studio's needs. His main job was to maintain the equipment and ensure everything ran smoothly whenever Kaminari needed to record.

"Dawu, Kaminari's ready to record a new song," his father announced as they entered the room. Dawu was slouched on a couch, absorbed in a game on his phone. He jumped up as soon as he saw the president.

"Yes, sir!" Dawu stammered, quickly stashing his phone away and looking a bit embarrassed. But before he could say anything else, Kaminari's father waved his hand dismissively.

"Never mind that. Just get the equipment ready, and there'll be no deductions from your paycheck."

"Here, this has the sheet music and lyrics," Kaminari said, handing Dawu a USB drive.

Dawu, adjusting his glasses, took the drive with both hands and went over to the mixing desk to begin setting up. As an otaku and an avid anime fan, he had loved "Only My Railgun." There was only one thing he had felt was lacking: he thought the song would have been even better if it had been sung by a girl. The thought of a female voice giving life to those lyrics had made him wish the track had a different vocalist.

He glanced at Kaminari, who was standing in the sound booth with his blond hair, highlighted by a black streak shaped like a lightning bolt. "If only the young master were a girl…" Dawu mused, half-jokingly. "He'd definitely make a cute idol."

Little did he know, if Kaminari had any inkling of those thoughts, Dawu might very well have found himself on the receiving end of a highly unpleasant jolt.

Meanwhile, Kaminari had already taken his place in the recording booth, positioning himself in front of the mic. He took a moment to adjust his breathing and get into the right headspace. It took him a full two minutes before he felt ready, raising his hand in an "OK" gesture toward Dawu.

"This song is going to be my gift," Kaminari thought to himself. "To mark the start of something new. It's for me, for the future students and teachers of U.A., and for everyone who dreams of becoming a Hero."

As Kaminari's fingers tightened on the mic stand, the rhythmic strum of an electric guitar filled the studio, followed by the powerful beat of drums. This wasn't just any song—this was an anthem for those who dared to dream big, to rise above the ordinary.

And just like that, Kaminari's second single began to come to life.

(T/N: His second single is Hero by DOA you can listen to it if you want)

Chapter 19: Pokémon

After spending two hours recording the initial version of the new song, Kaminari left the rest of the post-production work to Dawu, who seemed unusually enthusiastic. Kaminari then headed to a professional photography studio in Tokyo, accompanied by his father's secretary.

Japan's MTV had requested some high-quality photos to accompany the new single's release. Currently, Kaminari's profile on the website only had a single picture, his main profile image. Although Saitama City had a few photography studios, they weren't particularly renowned, so his father, the president of Kaminari Toy Co., decided to send Kaminari to a well-known studio in Tokyo.

The commute wasn't a big deal, since Tokyo was just a short drive from Saitama, and they could easily make it back the same day. If not, they could always stay overnight. But as it turned out, Kaminari managed to finish the photo session and return home by seven that evening, courtesy of the company car and the secretary who dropped him off.

While the photography session at the famous studio didn't take too long, he only took seven photos in total, the quality was undeniable. The professional photographer and top-of-the-line equipment made all the difference. Of course, Kaminari couldn't help but think that his own good looks played a significant part.

Among the photos, there were two that particularly stood out to Kaminari. They fit perfectly with the theme of his new song, "Hero."

One photo featured Kaminari sitting alone at a desk in a dimly lit room, a white band with the word "victory" written across his forehead. The only source of light was a small Pikachu lamp beside him, casting a warm glow on his focused, youthful face. The setting, combined with Kaminari's determined expression, perfectly encapsulated the song's message about perseverance and striving toward one's goals.

The other photo was taken outdoors, with Kaminari doing push-ups under the blazing sun. His shirt was off, revealing a toned physique covered in sweat, while his face displayed a look of intense concentration, teeth gritted and muscles straining. The determination in his eyes spoke of an unyielding resolve to keep pushing forward no matter the obstacles.

These photos resonated with the song's lyrics:

"A man should be strong for others.

Bite the bullet!

Be determined to persevere to the end.

It doesn't matter if you fall.

Just stand up again.

That's all—if you can do it… you're a Hero!"

Kaminari chose "Hero" as his second single because it wasn't just a song about himself. It was a song for all aspiring heroes, a tribute to the Hero Course students at U.A. High School, and a message to everyone out there, whether they were chasing dreams or simply trying to get through the day. The song's central idea was that anyone could be a hero not just the professional ones we see on TV, but ordinary people who muster the courage to face life's challenges.

In this superhuman society where professional Heroes were part of everyday life, there were many songs with Hero themes. But Kaminari noticed that most of them praised the deeds of established Heroes or romanticized the Hero profession. Few, if any, embraced the message that "everyone can be a Hero." He was determined to fill that gap.

When he arrived home, the aroma of freshly cooked dinner hit him before he even reached the kitchen. His mother was waiting with a warm meal, but Kaminari first sent her and his father the photos from the studio via his phone, then headed straight for the shower.

At dinner, his mother couldn't hide her excitement over the photos, even suggesting they get some printed to hang on the walls.

"Where are you going to put them?" Kaminari asked, pointing toward the framed painting hanging above the TV in the living room. It was a depiction of Kaminari with his arms crossed confidently, a cheerful Pikachu standing beside him.

"That's not a photo; it's a painting," his mother corrected him with a smile. "And don't worry about space. We could hang them in your room… or maybe even the bathroom."

"...The bathroom?" Kaminari and his father both froze at the suggestion.

As they laughed, Kaminari's gaze lingered on the painting, and an idea sparked in his mind. He remembered how, when he was younger, his mother had sketched the first "real" Pikachu for him after he had drawn a crude version himself. In a sense, she was the first person to bring Pikachu to life in this world.

"Mom," Kaminari said suddenly, "how about drawing more Pokémon? Or even taking over the creation of new Pokémon entirely?"

"Me?" His mother blinked in surprise. "You really think I could do that?"

Kaminari nodded eagerly. "Of course! You're great at drawing, and you taught me everything I know. Besides, I could use some help expanding the Pokémon lineup."

His mother hesitated, glancing toward Kaminari's father, who was seated across the table. "Well… if you think I could do it…"

Kaminari's father looked thoughtful, stroking his chin. He wasn't opposed to the idea, his wife had studied art and had always been passionate about painting. Plus, it would give her something meaningful to do while still being close to the family.

He nodded. "Sure, why not? Kaminari can share the ideas with you, and you can be in charge of the illustrations."

"Awesome!" Kaminari cheered. He was thrilled not just for the help, but for his mother's sake as well. "This way, even when I'm busy at U.A., we can still collaborate on creating new Pokémon."

"And speaking of expanding," his father interjected, "I've been discussing with the company about turning the Pokémon concept into a manga series. It could eventually evolve into an anime, games, or even movies. What do you think?"

Kaminari's eyes lit up. "That sounds amazing! But I won't have the time to draw comics myself. You could hire a manga artist to adapt the settings I come up with."

He knew that the storyline of the manga would likely diverge from the one in his previous life, and the protagonist might not even be Ash Ketchum. But in his view, the real charm of "Pokémon" wasn't tied to any one character or plot—it was all about the Pokémon themselves. As long as the world was filled with captivating creatures, the series would thrive.

"Of course," Kaminari added, "the protagonist has to start with a Pikachu. That's non-negotiable."

"Actually…" Kaminari's eyes gleamed with a sudden inspiration. "Why not make me the protagonist of the manga? It could follow me and Pikachu as we travel the world, encountering different Pokémon."

His parents exchanged a look. The idea had merit, and imagining their son's likeness as a manga character embarking on adventures was undeniably appealing. They could even picture him someday appearing on TV as part of the Pokémon world.

"I think it's a great idea," his father said with a grin. "Let's do it."

Chapter 20: "Mediocre" Kaminari?

In the conference room of U.A. High School, the Hero Course teachers gathered to discuss an unexpected topic just two days before the entrance exam. While preparations for the upcoming exams were nearly complete, today's meeting had been called specifically to address one candidate in particular.

A few days ago, Midnight, one of the faculty members, had formally proposed that Kaminari Denki be considered for admission as a recommended student. The assessment for recommended students was scheduled for tomorrow, a day before the regular entrance exam. The evaluation for these students was more of a formality, meant to ensure that their actual abilities matched the information on file.

"Let's begin," said the principal, seated at the head of the table. His voice was calm, and his expression as gentle as ever. Despite looking like a large, fluffy white mouse, no one in the room found his appearance unusual. In this world of Quirks, where superhuman abilities and bizarre mutations were the norm, the principal's appearance was hardly out of place.

"The information about Kaminari Denki is in front of you," the principal continued. "Please take a moment to familiarize yourselves with it."

"Whoa!" Present Mic, the energetic voice hero, exclaimed after a quick glance at the file. "From elementary school all the way through middle school, he scored perfect marks in every subject including physical education. We've got a real prodigy here!"

"His Quirk is electricity-based, huh?" Aizawa, the long-haired and perpetually tired-looking teacher, noted with a nonchalant tone as he skimmed Kaminari's profile. "Lightning-type Quirks are notoriously hard to control. That's why you rarely see many top-tier Heroes with those abilities."

"True," added Recovery Girl, an elderly woman in a white lab coat. "Most people with electricity-related Quirks end up in support roles, especially in fields like equipment development. Their Quirks lend themselves well to those applications."

Midnight, who had proposed Kaminari as a recommended candidate, spoke up. She recounted the incident a few days ago in Omiya Park, where Kaminari had used what appeared to be "electrical defibrillation" to save a life. His level of control over his Quirk had been extraordinarily precise, enough to make her take notice.

She paused before admitting, "I later found out that his Quirk is officially listed as 'Electrification,' not 'Defibrillator,' as he claimed at the time. While I was initially irritated that he lied in such a critical situation, it made me realize just how fine his control over electricity must be."

Her words caught the room's attention. If Kaminari had indeed been using an Electrification-type Quirk to perform defibrillation, it implied a level of precision and control comparable to that of a seasoned professional Hero. The teachers grew quiet, considering the implications. Such a feat would require not just a high degree of skill, but also remarkable composure for someone so young.

"Well, it does sound like he has the potential to be a solid Hero," one of the teachers remarked, summarizing the general sentiment in the room.

However, All Might, the Symbol of Peace and the most famous Hero in Japan, seemed to be mulling over something different. The towering man with blond hair and upswept bangs was lost in thought, recalling something Kaminari had said before leaving the scene in Omiya.

"Those who break the rules are scum, but those who abandon others are worse than scum… That's a great line!" All Might thought, his eyes brightening. Kaminari's words had struck a chord with him, reminding him of a young boy he had recently taken under his wing, a boy with no Quirk, frail physical health, and a timid personality, yet one who still charged toward danger to save his friend.

"I want to be like All Might and become the strongest Hero!" That was what young Midoriya had declared with unwavering resolve. But with only two days left before the entrance exam, All Might couldn't help but worry if the boy could complete the training task he'd been given.

While All Might drifted off into thoughts about his would-be successor, the other teachers continued to discuss Kaminari's abilities.

"If—hypothetically speaking," Aizawa began, his tone as cold and logical as always, "what if Kaminari's apparent 'defibrillation' wasn't a matter of superior control, but rather just a coincidence? What if his Quirk's electrical output just happened to be the right level for that particular application?"

The room grew silent. Midnight felt a momentary chill. It hadn't occurred to her that such an explanation might be more plausible than the idea of a fifteen-year-old possessing a mastery of electrical control on par with top Heroes.

"But even if that's the case," she countered, "Kaminari's perfect academic record should still qualify him as a recommended student."

"I have some thoughts on that," the principal interjected, his calm voice cutting through the tension. Midnight, who had started to get defensive, quieted down as he spoke.

"I reviewed Kaminari Denki's file when it first arrived, and I am well aware of his flawless academic performance," he continued. "If this were any other year, he would undoubtedly qualify for recommendation based on his grades alone."

"But not this year," the principal added with a hint of regret. "Compared to the three students who have already been selected as recommended candidates Yoarashi Inasa, Todoroki Shoto, and Yaoyorozu Momo—Kaminari's overall abilities are relatively… mediocre."

"Mediocre?!" Midnight was visibly taken aback. Kaminari's track record was as close to perfect as it could get. If that was considered "mediocre," then what standard were they applying?

"I understand your surprise," the principal said gently, "but when you compare him directly to our current recommended students, his capabilities in all areas fall short."

He went on to explain, "For Quirk-based abilities, even if Kaminari is capable of using Electrification for defibrillation, it suggests a proficiency in Quirk control but not necessarily combat effectiveness. Inasa's 'Whirlwind' and Todoroki's 'Half-Cold Half-Hot' are far more versatile and powerful for combat scenarios."

"As for academic excellence, Yaoyorozu Momo's knowledge already extends into advanced subjects like the molecular structure of materials. While Kaminari may have achieved perfect scores, Yaoyorozu is already applying her knowledge at a level that goes beyond typical school subjects."

The principal's tone grew more solemn. "Kaminari Denki might be well-rounded compared to the average applicant, but in terms of what we are looking for in recommended students this year, he lacks a standout quality that sets him above the rest."

Midnight clenched her fists but didn't interrupt. She could see that the principal was speaking out of concern for Kaminari's future, not dismissing his potential outright.

"In today's world," the principal continued, "where the number of professional Heroes is reaching saturation, we must prioritize those who show exceptional promise. Kaminari may be more suited to a supportive role in the Hero industry or even find a place in the Support Department, where his talents with electricity could be better utilized."

The principal's conclusion was clear: "Therefore, the decision of this meeting is that Kaminari Denki will not be accepted as a recommended student. He will participate in the regular entrance exam alongside the other applicants."

As the meeting came to a close, Midnight couldn't help but feel conflicted. She believed in Kaminari's potential, but the reality was that U.A. was a place where only the most extraordinary talents could shine. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that Kaminari's journey was far from over.

...

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Chapter Text

Chapter 21: "Hero(es)" and Girls
Unaware of the discussions happening far away at U.A. High School, Kaminari was in his room, completely immersed in his project. He was typing away on his computer, working on a document titled "Complete Pokémon World Settings."

He had to admit, creating this comprehensive guide was actually a lot of fun. It allowed him to revisit the details of the Pokémon world and the various creatures that populated it. First, he started by listing the major regions: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, and others.

Originally, he'd considered drawing a full map of the world, but that idea lasted all of three seconds before he dismissed it. Who was he kidding? He didn't have a photographic memory to perfectly recall every detail of such a vast map.

Luckily, since Pokémon was originally created by a Japanese company, many of the regions were inspired by real places in Japan. Kaminari figured he could let a professional Japanese artist handle the world map; his job was to lay down the essential details, like the world's origins, legendary Pokémon myths, and the intricate ecosystem.

He typed up information about various roles in the Pokémon world, such as Pokémon Trainers, Coordinators, Breeders, Rangers, and even the ever-present Officer Jennys and Nurse Joys. He made notes on the various leagues, Elite Four members, and even the criminal organizations like Team Rocket and Galactic.

After hours of work, Kaminari had managed to get through a lot of the groundwork. He was now moving on to drawing the legendary Pokémon, ensuring that they closely resembled the iconic versions from his previous life.

"Alright, the three legendary birds are done. Now, I just need to finish Raikou, and that will complete the three legendary beasts. Next up is Ho-Oh…"

As he spoke aloud to himself, Kaminari paused to reflect, sighing deeply. "Man, why didn't I get some kind of system that could summon Pokémon for real…?" he muttered wistfully.

Meanwhile, Japan's MTV music network had begun heavily promoting Kaminari's latest song, "Hero." Anyone who visited the site couldn't miss the banner showcasing a striking image of Kaminari, the blond fifteen-year-old with lightning-shaped black streaks in his hair. The bold text read:

"Anyone can be a Hero! – Fifteen-year-old Kaminari Denki!"
"From the creator of 'Only My Railgun'!"

It didn't take long for the campaign to gain traction. Within minutes, hundreds of thousands of people had seen the promotion, piquing their curiosity about this young musician who had only recently come into the spotlight.

Although Kaminari wasn't a complete unknown his previous song "Only My Railgun" had garnered some attention, this new track's theme and the story behind it intrigued listeners. Many were eager to see if he could replicate the success of his debut.

As they navigated to his page to give "Hero" a listen, they came across a personal message from Kaminari:

"I'm about to take the entrance exam for U.A. High School's Hero Course. This song, 'Hero,' is dedicated to myself, my future school, its teachers, my future classmates, and all those who strive and work hard. Anyone can be a Hero!"

Readers were surprised to learn that this fifteen-year-old musician was also an aspiring Hero Course student at U.A., the most prestigious Hero school in Japan. The dual ambition of pursuing music and heroics made Kaminari an even more interesting figure.

---

In a small town in Shizuoka Prefecture, a purple-haired girl was sitting in her room, staring at her laptop screen. She had just read Kaminari's message and was intrigued. As someone who had also passed U.A.'s written exam, she realized they might actually meet at the entrance exam.

"Interesting," she thought, turning up the volume as she clicked to play "Hero." The opening beats filled the room, the rhythm electrifying as it pulsed through her high-end surround sound system. Her room, more of a music studio than a typical bedroom, was filled with musical instruments, an electric guitar, electronic keyboard, drum kit, and an array of speakers.

Her parents had even soundproofed the walls to accommodate her love for rock music. Yes, she was definitely well-off, but her passion was unmistakable. As the prelude played, she felt herself getting absorbed in the beat, her head swaying in time with the drums.

"This rhythm… it's amazing!" she exclaimed, her foot tapping on the floor.

The lyrics began:

"Pretending to be brave, I started to get carried away!

Throwing all important things aside!

Torturing myself like a prisoner!

Saying goodbye to myself like this!"

She raised an eyebrow at the opening lines. "The song is called 'Hero,' but it doesn't seem to be about Hero work," she mused. Still, the energy was undeniable, and she kept listening, curious to see where it would go.

---

In another corner of Shizuoka, a boy named Midoriya Izuku had just woken up from yet another exhausting night of training at the Takoba Seaside Park. His phone buzzed with a notification from the Japanese MTV app, promoting Kaminari's "Hero."

Midoriya was always interested in songs about Heroes. While they were just songs, he found that listening to them made his own dream feel more vivid, even if only for a moment. He decided to give the song a listen as he got out of bed, still groggy from his limited sleep.

As he listened to the lyrics, one line resonated deeply with him:

"What should I do if I'm afraid of that guy?"

Midoriya felt a jolt of recognition. He knew that fear all too well. It wasn't just about bullies or villains; it was about the fear of not being good enough, of not measuring up to the standards of those who were born gifted.

---

The song continued to build:

"A man should be strong for others!"

"Bite your teeth and make up your mind to persevere to the end!"

"It doesn't matter if you fall down, just stand up again!"

"That's all, if you can do it... you're a Hero!!"

Midoriya Izuku's heart was instantly set ablaze by these lyrics, and he felt a surge of energy coursing through his veins! The pain and exhaustion from the past ten months seemed to evaporate in an instant.

"Clench your teeth... make up your mind and stick to it... Yes! That's the way it should be!"

"I can't give up now!"

As the song reached its final verse, the climax began.

"A man should be strong for others!"

"Compete with everything you've got!"

"It's okay to cry, just find your smile again!"

"That's all. If you can do it... you're a Hero!!"

"Yes!" Midoriya grabbed his phone, then burst out of his room and headed for the kitchen, his voice ringing with determination, "What have I been doing? How can I be so lax? Don't I want to become a Hero like All Might?!"

"After dinner, I'll head straight to the seaside park to continue clearing the debris!"

"And today, I'm going to sing this song a hundred times! A hundred times!!"

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, the purple-haired girl listened to the line:

"The same goes for girls, you can't just watch from the sidelines! If it feels right, go for it, as long as you have the courage to take the leap!"

"That's all. If you can do it... you'll be a Hero!!"

At that moment, she burst into laughter. She glanced at the high-resolution poster of Kaminari on her screen and whispered to herself, "You talk big, huh... I hope you're just as good at walking the walk when we meet, hehehe."

She didn't choose to play the song again. Instead, she jumped up, grabbed her electric guitar, and immediately started playing with ease.

It was the intro to "Hero!!"

She had only listened to it once and already memorized the melody perfectly!

Her musical talent was simply astounding...

Chapter 22: Encounter
"Hero" is a hit, a total hit!

Kaminari had gained some level of fame. While not a nationwide superstar, he had carved out a name for himself, especially in the small circles of Saitama Prefecture. He was a recognizable figure, at least enough to be considered a local star.

As he stood on the subway, he noticed several boys and girls with their phones out, aiming their cameras at him.

"You know, you really are a star. I never noticed it before..."

Tetsutetsu, standing beside him, couldn't help but glance enviously at the excited group of girls nearby who were too shy to approach.

Though rough around the edges, Tetsutetsu was still a teenager, and like most boys, he couldn't completely ignore his interest in pretty girls.

"By the way, have you been ignoring Japanese MTV completely?" he asked Kaminari.

Kaminari, ever the charmer, kept his smile intact while waving to the middle school girls. After hearing their soft gasps of admiration, he signed his name for them and posed for a quick photo.

Well, he was aiming to be a big star after all. Gotta start building the fan base young, he thought. Though it also caught the attention of a few confused adults who didn't recognize him.

Well, getting surrounded was just part of being a star. Just gotta get used to it… yeah, just gotta get used to it.

"Ah, music, huh? I used to listen to some... but not anymore," Tetsutetsu replied, rubbing his nose awkwardly as the lingering scent of the girls' perfume made him feel a little self-conscious.

The girls, after excitedly taking their first-ever photo with a celebrity, returned to their seats, still giggling and sneaking glances at Kaminari, whispering amongst themselves.

Still smiling, Kaminari asked, "So, what have you been up to lately?"

"I've been working on that technique you showed me," Tetsutetsu began, sounding a bit proud. "The moment I got home, I went straight to the garden in my apartment complex and started practicing. I've been—"

But before Tetsutetsu could finish, Kaminari interrupted, frowning slightly. "Didn't I tell you? It isn't something you can master in a short time. Don't focus all your effort on it."

"I know, I know. But listen!" Tetsutetsu insisted. "I'm not just practicing that. A couple days ago, I joined a judo gym! I've been training with Sensei Daimon!"

"Judo?!" Kaminari blinked, surprised. He looked Tetsutetsu up and down, then said thoughtfully, "Honestly, with your personality and Quirk, you'd probably be better off training in karate or maybe even Chinese Bajiquan."

"Really?" Tetsutetsu grinned, though his enthusiasm for judo didn't waver in the slightest. "But I kinda like judo. The throws and grapples are pretty cool!"

Of course, he wouldn't mention that right now he was the one being thrown around every day. But he believed that soon enough, he'd be the one tossing people left and right. Maybe he'd even try it on Kaminari!

"Alright, as long as you're enjoying it," Kaminari shrugged. For someone like Tetsutetsu, physical, strength-based combat styles seemed like a perfect fit. But in the end, everyone has their own preferences. Kaminari could only wish him success.

By now, it was already February 26th, and the Shinkansen they were riding was speeding toward U.A. High School in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Since Shizuoka was a bit far from Saitama City, the journey took nearly an hour, even by high-speed train. To pass the time, Kaminari played one of his new songs for Tetsutetsu, thinking he'd enjoy it.

Sure enough, as soon as Tetsutetsu finished listening, he grabbed the headphones and started looping the track. Kaminari had guessed right, he was into that kind of rock music, full of passion, struggle, and fighting spirit.

Though he didn't seem to care much for Kaminari's "Only My Railgun" ... Well, to each their own, Kaminari thought. Personal tastes couldn't be forced.

And so, the two fifteen-year-old boys passed the time. Tetsutetsu sat engrossed in the music while Kaminari casually chatted with the girls on the train. They both enjoyed the trip, though Tetsutetsu occasionally cast a complicated look in Kaminari's direction.

One hour, or sixty minutes—3,600 seconds, to be precise passed quietly, and soon the train arrived. Kaminari and Tetsutetsu stepped off the Shinkansen at their destination.

Well, Kaminari did leave with a few new fans. Three more, to be exact.

It was 8:25 AM, thirty-five minutes before the start of U.A.'s practical entrance exam. According to the map, the school was only a six-minute walk from the station.

So, the two weren't in any rush. They strolled leisurely toward U.A., taking in the sights of Shizuoka. Along the way, they spotted other students, all wearing different middle school uniforms, heading in the same direction. Clearly, these were fellow candidates for the exam.

All competitors, Kaminari thought to himself.

Both Kaminari and Tetsutetsu were also wearing their old middle school uniforms, as per U.A.'s request. It seemed the school wanted its candidates to present themselves as students.

This made Kaminari a little nostalgic. He had thought he'd never wear a school uniform again, but now that he was, he realized he'd grown somewhat attached to it over the past three years.

"We're here."

Soon, Kaminari and Tetsutetsu, along with candidates from all over Japan, reached the gates of U.A. High School—gates they had only seen on TV before.

"The Heroic Protective Wall!"

A massive gate made from a mysterious alloy. According to rumors, not even a main battle tank could take it down.

The gate was open now, welcoming the candidates. Signs reading "U.A. High School" and "Entrance Exam Venue" hung beside it.

Some candidates had already arrived, entering either alone or in pairs. The atmosphere was tense and quiet.

"It's about to begin. The big exam with an acceptance rate of 300 to 1," Kaminari muttered to himself as he stepped through the gates. Even with his laid-back personality, he couldn't shake a bit of nervousness. After all, this was a huge moment for him.

"I heard they're only accepting forty students out of over a thousand applicants..." Tetsutetsu muttered, his face tight with anxiety.

In front of them were three large red doors. Only the one marked with a "2" was open, with a sign beside it indicating it was the briefing room for the exam.

Just as Kaminari and Tetsutetsu were about to head over, a sharp voice broke the silence from behind them.

"Move aside, weakling!"

"Get out of my way, or I'll crush you!"

The harsh tone echoed through the otherwise quiet area. Kaminari and Tetsutetsu, along with the rest of the crowd, turned to see who it was.

A second later, everyone turned back, going about their business. It was just some loud greeting between friends, though the approach was a bit... intense.

Kaminari did the same, but for some reason, his eyes lingered on a flustered green-haired boy who seemed rattled by the encounter.

"Let's go, Kaminari," Tetsutetsu said, curling his lip in mild disdain. He wasn't fond of people who got so easily shaken up. How could someone like that hope to be a pro hero?

"Yeah, let's go," Kaminari nodded, but there was an odd feeling nagging at him... Maybe it was just the nerves from the upcoming test?

But just as they began to climb the steps toward the red door, a voice called out behind them.

"Kaminari Denki!"

Chapter 23: Routine
"Hm?"

The voice that called out was unexpectedly pleasant, so Kaminari turned around. Tetsutetsu, standing next to him with his hands shoved in his pockets, reluctantly stopped as well, glancing back to see who it was.

"A girl... another girl?" Tetsutetsu's expression immediately stiffened.

Is this what it's like to be a star? Girls just call out to you wherever you go?

"Looks like we really did run into each other here!"

The girl, with short purple hair, walked up quickly and started looking Kaminari up and down without a hint of shyness, almost as if she were confirming something.

Kaminari, ever the showman, flashed a charming smile and said, "Hey, I'm Kaminari Denki. And you are?"

Since she was here, it was pretty clear she was also a candidate for the U.A. entrance exam, possibly even a future classmate. He couldn't afford to act cold or distant, even if he was used to being treated like a celebrity.

Not that he was that type of person anyway.

"My name's Jiro Kyoka," she said confidently, offering her hand for a handshake. "I'm also here for the Hero Course. Looking forward to working with you, especially when it comes to rock and roll!"

She extended her right hand boldly, clearly full of confidence in how she'd perform in the test.

"Uh, sure..."

Kaminari was caught slightly off guard but quickly shook her hand. After all, who would refuse a handshake from a cute girl? Maybe she's an orphan, too... Well, as expected, her hand's nice and soft, Kaminari thought with an internal chuckle. He shook her hand briefly, then let go.

"Hey, there's only ten minutes left before the briefing starts," Tetsutetsu suddenly said from beside him, his voice flat. He was always punctual, it definitely wasn't because he had any ulterior motives...

"And who's this?" Kyoka asked, coolly tilting her head toward Tetsutetsu. Her right hand casually toyed with the headphone jack attached to her ear.

A closer look revealed that the jack wasn't just an accessory. It was actually connected to her earlobe clearly part of her Quirk.

"Is that part of her ability? Seems sound-based," Kaminari noted to himself, making a mental note as he resumed climbing the stairs. He was about to introduce Tetsutetsu, but his friend beat him to it.

"Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu!" he declared, puffing out his chest proudly. "I'm Kaminari's best friend, and the future number one pro Hero!"

"Uh... hello," Kyoka replied, momentarily taken aback by his boisterous introduction. But after a brief pause, she gave a genuine smile. Tetsutetsu's straightforward personality was hard to dislike.

And just like that, the duo became a trio, with Kaminari leading the way through the open red door labeled "2."

"Man, talking to girls so easily..."

At the back of the group, Midoriya Izuku watched them with a bit of envy. He'd just met a girl earlier, but all he did was stammer a few words. He didn't even manage a proper response before the moment passed.

Even though it had been thrilling just to have a girl speak to him, he couldn't help feeling a little regret. Seeing Kaminari chat so effortlessly with girls only made him more self-conscious.

As he stared after them, a lyric from the song "Hero"—a song he'd had on repeat for days popped into his head:

"Even with girls, you've got to take the first step! You can't just sit and watch! Have the courage to speak up!"

"Courage…" Midoriya muttered under his breath, clenching his fists tightly as determination swelled inside him.

Ten minutes later, in a spacious lecture hall filled with rows of seats, the exam briefing finally began. The event was hosted by the one and only Present Mic, a top-tier pro Hero known for his DJ skills and signature booming voice.

Behind him, a massive electronic screen displayed the U.A. emblem, simple but unmistakable. Every student in the room immediately recognized it.

"Welcome, everyone, to my live broadcast!" Present Mic announced, his energetic voice echoing through the hall. "Everybody-Say-Hey!!"

His over-the-top energy, combined with his rap-like tone, was both amusing and distinctly his own. It almost felt like an American rapper speaking Japanese. This was his unique style, and the students familiar with him couldn't help but get a bit excited.

Well, except for the fact that everyone was still too nervous to respond. Silence filled the room as no one dared to follow his cue.

Kaminari smirked at the awkwardness. This was amusing.

Especially when Present Mic awkwardly muttered about how "boring" the students were for not playing along. Kaminari thought this whole exchange did wonders to ease the tension in the room.

Meanwhile, Tetsutetsu and Kyoka, sitting on either side of him, were both clearly more nervous than he was. They hadn't said a word since entering the hall, their lips pressed into thin lines.

"Well then, dear listeners! Let me give you the rundown on today's practical exam!"

Despite the lack of enthusiasm from the audience, Present Mic recovered quickly, launching into his usual routine. The guy was a pro, after all.

But he still couldn't resist trying to get one more interaction.

"Are-you-ready?!"

...Silence. Again.

Kaminari couldn't help but chuckle under his breath. The only person who seemed genuinely excited by Present Mic's energy was Midoriya, who had probably been a fan of his broadcasts for years. Kaminari could tell he admired Present Mic quite a bit.

"Just like it says in the exam guide, you'll all be participating in a ten-minute 'simulated cityscape battle!'"

"You're allowed to bring anything you need. After I finish explaining, you'll head to your designated test sites!"

Kaminari glanced at the exam ticket he'd received earlier and noticed that he, Tetsutetsu, and Kyoka were all assigned to the same test site—Test Site C. That brought a mix of relief and anxiety. While it was nice to be with familiar faces, they were also direct competitors now.

But Kaminari's mind was elsewhere. His focus was more on understanding the rules that Present Mic was explaining. In an exam like this, knowing the rules inside and out could make all the difference.

With over a thousand candidates and only forty spots available, he couldn't afford to slip up.

As Present Mic continued, the screen behind him switched to a series of images.

"Each test site is filled with various categories of 'villains,' and they're divided by difficulty. Defeating them will earn you points based on their level!"

"Use your Quirks to defeat these 'villains' and rack up as many points as you can. That's the name of the game!"

"The 'villains' are robots..." Kaminari observed, easily recognizing the shapes shown on screen. A wave of relief washed over him. If they were robots... well, this was going to be fun.

Present Mic then spun around dramatically, pointing toward the audience and giving a stern warning.

"And remember! Attacking fellow candidates is strictly prohibited! Such behavior goes against the spirit of being a Hero!"

The "spirit of Heroism," huh? Kaminari thought. While this line might not have meant much to some of the other students, it struck a chord with him. He was starting to piece together the deeper meaning behind this exam.

Coupled with what he already knew about U.A., he felt about 80% confident in his theory... but something still didn't sit right.

"I have a question!" A sudden voice broke through Kaminari's thoughts. A tall, imposing figure in the crowd raised his hand, and a spotlight immediately illuminated him.

What followed was a pointless back-and-forth that, in Kaminari's eyes, wasted everyone's time.

Kaminari sighed in annoyance. The guy's question was self-righteous and unnecessary. U.A. wouldn't have such a glaring loophole in their exam. Sure enough, Present Mic casually thanked him and moved on.

"The fourth category of villains is worth 0 points! They're only there to slow you down!"

"There's one at every test site. While they can be defeated, it's not worth your time! I recommend you avoid them at all costs!"

"This is it!"

Kaminari's eyes lit up. He was now 90% sure he'd cracked the code of this exam.

"The structure of this test... it's a bit predictable."

Chapter 24: The Assessment Begins!
The briefing session was short and straight to the point, giving Kaminari a glimpse of the U.A. High School's efficient, no-nonsense approach.

Afterward, the candidates changed into the casual clothes they had brought and gathered at the playground behind U.A. Dozens of buses were already lined up, waiting to take them to the exam's simulation sites.

Following instructions, each candidate found the bus that corresponded with their designated testing location, as indicated by the number on their admission ticket. They were headed to U.A.'s renowned "simulation city," where the practical part of the entrance exam would take place.

Despite the lack of any supervisors to maintain order, the scene was remarkably calm and disciplined. No one cut in line, and no one made any unnecessary noise. Everyone was focused, silently preparing themselves for what was to come.

The simulation city was said to be the size of about four blocks, and there were seven of these massive areas in total. Clearly, such a large space couldn't be located within Tokyo itself, which explained why U.A. High School was situated out in Shizuoka Prefecture.

It also explained the need for the bus ride. The forty-seat bus took them more than forty minutes from the school to the test sites.

During the ride, Kaminari noticed a shift in the atmosphere. As soon as the bus left U.A.'s campus, the tension in the air lightened, and the candidates started chatting.

They began introducing themselves to each other, talking about their Quirks, sharing their nerves, or excitedly expressing their dreams of becoming pro Heroes.

The once-silent bus was now buzzing with conversation. Even the more introverted candidates seemed to relax, listening curiously to their peers and occasionally joining in.

Kaminari smiled, enjoying the change. He liked this livelier atmosphere much better than the earlier tension.

"Kaminari, are those gloves special or something?" Jiro Kyoka, who had been sitting next to him, asked, noticing the blue-crystal-like feature embedded in the glove on his right hand.

Her question caught the attention of Tetsutetsu, who was sitting in the seat ahead of them. He had noticed Kaminari's gloves earlier when they were changing but had assumed they were just for show, maybe a flashy accessory. After all, why would anyone put a big crystal on their glove? Still, he had to admit, the design looked pretty cool.

"This? Oh, yeah. These gloves are actually really important to me," Kaminari said, holding up his right hand and admiring the glove.

They were custom-made, ordered by his father from the famous tech hub "I-Island." It had taken over three months for them to be completed, and they arrived just in time for the exam literally the night before.

His father had been worried that they wouldn't arrive in time, but thankfully, the delivery came through at the last moment. These gloves represented not only Kaminari's equipment but also his father's high hopes for him.

"Equipment?" Jiro asked, her curiosity piqued, while Tetsutetsu leaned closer to get a better look.

"Yeah," Kaminari nodded. "The gloves are made from a lightweight alloy. They're not super strong, just tough enough to block things like fruit knives but they have great conductivity."

He flexed his hand, demonstrating. "With these gloves, I can save about 20% of the energy I use when I channel electricity through my fists."

Jiro and Tetsutetsu were intrigued, especially by the blue crystal embedded in the glove.

"As for this crystal..." Kaminari said, tapping it lightly, "I'm not exactly sure what it's made from, but I know it's a high-tech battery. It's pre-charged and can store enough power to last me for three years."

He smiled. "Since my Quirk lets me store electricity in my body and discharge it at will, these gloves let me recharge whenever I need to. They're perfect for keeping me powered up during a long fight."

"As for the design, that was my idea. I figured since I'll be wearing them a lot, they might as well look cool, right?"

Hearing that the gloves were ordered from the famous I-Island, the candidates nearby especially Jiro and Tetsutetsu were impressed. I-Island was renowned for its cutting-edge tech, and having custom gear from there was no small thing.

Kaminari's equipment put him a step ahead of the competition, at least in terms of preparation. But he didn't seem to care much about how others viewed him. His mind was already racing ahead, strategizing for the test.

He knew the test would involve battling robots, which made him feel pretty confident. But there was something else about the test that nagged at him, a detail he couldn't shake. Still, he kept it to himself. He didn't want to sound overconfident or arrogant.

After forty minutes, the buses finally began to split off, each heading toward one of the seven simulation zones. Kaminari's bus came to a stop in front of a towering iron gate, more than ten meters tall.

Another bus pulled up right behind them, and soon, the candidates were being instructed to exit in an orderly manner. The exam would start in just ten minutes.

As they stepped off the bus, the atmosphere shifted once again. The nervous tension returned. Everyone dealt with it in different ways. Some took deep breaths. Some stared at the sky in silence. Others, like one overly eager candidate, began doing push-ups on the spot.

Among Kaminari's group, Jiro put her headphones back on, listening to music to calm her nerves. Kaminari noticed, with a small smile, that she was listening to his song, "Only My Railgun."

Tetsutetsu, meanwhile, had his eyes closed, inexplicably stepping in place as if preparing for a sprint, gradually increasing his speed.

As for Kaminari, his preparation was a little more subtle. He quietly ran small currents of electricity through his muscles, using them to stimulate and relax his body from head to toe.

Suddenly, the massive iron gate in front of them began to open silently, without even a creak.

Some of the candidates who had been focused on their own preparations didn't even notice at first. Those who did were momentarily stunned by the door's silent movement.

"The exam begins now!" a voice rang out, breaking the silence.

Kaminari didn't wait. He tapped Tetsutetsu and Jiro on the shoulders, signaling them, before he wrapped himself in crackling electricity and launched forward. He shot through the open gate, his body a blur of golden lightning.

From this moment on, they were no longer just friends. They were competitors. Kaminari knew he had to take care of his own score first, he could worry about helping them later.

When you're struggling, take care of yourself. When you're thriving, you can help others. That had always been Kaminari's philosophy.

Following Kaminari's lead, the rest of the candidates snapped into action, scattering in all directions, each chasing after their own goals.

Not long after Kaminari sped into the simulation city, the first "villain" appeared before him.

It was a humanoid robot, moving swiftly on two wheels. Its steel arms gleamed in the sunlight, and a camera-like device on its head flashed red as it locked onto Kaminari.

"Target acquired. Eliminate."

With a loud mechanical whir, the robot rushed toward him at full speed. But just as it was about to attack, a chaotic golden current surged through its body, paralyzing it instantly. The wheels screeched to a halt.

"Boom!"

A moment later, the red light on the robot's head dimmed as its systems powered down. Kaminari, without even glancing back, continued forward, having fully expected this outcome.

"It's just like I thought," Kaminari muttered to himself, a satisfied smirk on his face. "I might be able to help Tetsutetsu and Jiro soon after all..."

(Can you guess what Kaminari's gloves are modeled after?)

Chapter 25: Believe

I've been getting the same question over and over, and I'm tired of answering it. So, I'll just leave this here.

The MC doesn't know anything about MHA because it didn't exist in his world. If he seems like he's got a handle on things, it's because he's clever. He's watched tons of anime and read plenty of comics, so he can figure out common themes and patterns in a world like MHA. Any knowledge he shows comes from his own smarts and observations, not because he knew anything about the series beforehand. And if you can't stomach that, there are countless fanfiction stories on this platform besides this one, to be honest.

************
"There's definitely a big flaw in this exam."

Kaminari streaked down the street, sparks and lightning crackling in his wake. Any candidates who had tried to approach him didn't last more than ten seconds before storming off in frustration, dark looks on their faces.

They quickly realized that unless they had Quirks that enhanced their speed, there was no way they could keep up with Kaminari. While it might take others three or four seconds to take down a robot, Kaminari could do it in just one, barely breaking a sweat. He didn't even need to use his hands, just a quick brush of his clothes as he sped past was enough to short-circuit the machines.

What the others didn't know, though, was that Kaminari's actions weren't as random as they appeared. It wasn't just about running fast and zapping anything in sight. His movements were precise, calculated. Every time he passed a robot, he intentionally grazed the core, the red light at the front of each machine, which housed its control center.

That was the key. While dodging their attacks with lightning speed, Kaminari targeted that spot and let his electricity burn out the internal power supplies.

But to the other candidates Kaminari's finesse went unnoticed. All they saw was someone dominating the battlefield, mowing down robots with ease thanks to his Quirk and his speed.

Back at U.A., the principal, along with the Hero instructors including All Might watched the exam unfold on their monitors. Kaminari's performance hadn't escaped their attention, and they couldn't help but nod in approval.

His control over his Quirk, his ability to read and react to the robots' movements, and his composure while moving at high speeds were all clear signs of his skill. After years of effort, Kaminari's potential was finally blossoming.

But as Kaminari sped through the exam, he couldn't shake the thought that something was off about the whole setup.

"This exam is unfair."

It had only been four minutes since the test started, yet Kaminari had already cleared an entire street of robots. Now, standing atop a tall building, the wind swirling around him, he surveyed the area. His gloves, with their blue gems gleaming in the sunlight, pulsed with electricity as he considered the problem.

The exam's goal was to simulate a scenario where the candidates, as stand-in Heroes, would be fighting off 'villains' attacking the city. But the issue was that these 'villains' were robots.

That meant the difficulty of the test depended entirely on the candidates' Quirks. Kaminari himself was the perfect example. Even if he wasn't relying on his high-speed movements, his electricity alone would have made short work of the robots. The only difference would've been the speed at which he racked up points.

But what about someone with a Quirk that was ineffective against robots? What if their powers were more suited for taking on biological enemies? In that case, they'd be at a severe disadvantage.

"If I had been born with a Quirk like the Sharingan, for instance," Kaminari mused to himself, "there'd be no way I could pass this test." He'd have been forced to rely entirely on physical combat, which, while possible, would be far from ideal.

But thankfully, Tetsutetsu and Jiro didn't have that problem. Their Quirks were still useful here, even if their method was less flashy than his.

As Kaminari's thoughts wandered, he finally spotted his two friends down below. Tetsutetsu and Jiro had teamed up, working in tandem. One would distract the robot, drawing its attention, while the other would use their abilities to deliver the final blow. Jiro would plug her headphone jacks into the ground, sending shockwaves that disoriented their competition long enough for Tetsutetsu to smash the robot with a punch.

They swapped roles seamlessly, with Tetsutetsu using his steel body to block anyone trying to muscle in on their fight. Their teamwork was impressive, even if they were slower than Kaminari. They were methodical, and that made them stand out to U.A.'s teachers as well.

Seeing this, Kaminari grinned as golden electricity crackled around him. It was time to lend a hand.

In an instant, Kaminari leapt from rooftop to rooftop, dashing toward Jiro and Tetsutetsu. His sudden appearance caught the attention of the other candidates, especially those who had been frustrated by his earlier performance.

What's his deal? They thought. He already took over one street, now he's coming here to steal more points?

They watched as Kaminari made his approach, glaring at his seemingly endless greed.

"So selfish!"

"This guy's unbelievable!"

Meanwhile, Jiro and Tetsutetsu had just taken down another robot when they spotted Kaminari approaching. Their faces lit up with surprise and excitement.

"Kaminari!" Jiro called out, waving.

"Come on, follow me!" Kaminari shouted, not wasting any time. He gave each of them a quick pat on the shoulder, and suddenly, both Jiro and Tetsutetsu felt an electric surge run through them. Their bodies hummed with energy, temporarily boosted by Kaminari's Quirk.

"What the—this is high-speed movement?!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed, feeling his body lighten instantly. Jiro's eyes widened in shock as she too felt the unfamiliar rush of speed.

But neither of them hesitated. They knew exactly what Kaminari was doing, and without missing a beat, they chased after him as he bolted ahead.

The other candidates could only watch, stunned, as the three of them sped off together.

"Hey, hey, hey! That's too much!"

"He's boosting them too?!"

"That's basically cheating!"

Cries of outrage filled the air, and some candidates even accused Kaminari of breaking the rules. But as time passed and no reprimand came from U.A., it became clear that Kaminari had done nothing wrong.

Back at U.A., the teachers were surprised by Kaminari's decision to help his competitors, but after careful review, they found that he hadn't violated any rules. The exam guidelines prohibited using Quirks to attack others, but there was nothing against helping fellow candidates. Still, no one had expected Kaminari to use his abilities to assist his competition.

With their newfound speed, Tetsutetsu and Jiro easily destroyed the robots Kaminari had disabled ahead of them. Kaminari hadn't completely fried the machines this time. Instead, he had wrapped them in electricity, scrambling their systems temporarily.

It was almost like putting the robots in a mechanical version of paralysis. The momentary confusion allowed Jiro and Tetsutetsu to finish the job before the other candidates could catch up.

As they chased after Kaminari, both Jiro and Tetsutetsu couldn't help but admire him. This wasn't just about scoring points anymore Kaminari was proving himself to be someone worth following.

But then, suddenly, the ground beneath them trembled violently.

For a moment, the candidates thought it was an earthquake. After all, this was Japan, where quakes were frequent. But the rumbling stopped as quickly as it started, and when they looked up, they realized the true cause.

A massive robot taller than the buildings around it loomed ahead of them. It was the Zero Pointer, a giant machine meant to test the candidates' ability to handle overwhelming threats.

"No way! That thing is huge!" Tetsutetsu gaped in shock at the towering figure in front of them.

"Present Mic said we're supposed to avoid those," Jiro reminded them, watching as the other candidates scattered in a panic, fleeing from the enormous robot.

"And we've probably got enough points to pass," she added, already starting to back away.

"No!"

Kaminari's voice cut through the chaos, stopping both Tetsutetsu and Jiro in their tracks. "We need to take this thing down!"

"What?!" Tetsutetsu and Jiro turned to him, confused. The Zero Pointer was worth no points, there was no logical reason to fight it.

But Kaminari stood firm, electricity sparking at his fingertips. "Right now, we're acting as professional Heroes, remember? When you're a Hero, and you come across a 'villain' that poses this much danger to the city, you don't just ignore it because there's no reward!"

Tetsutetsu and Jiro fell silent, his words sinking in. Even the teachers watching through their monitors at U.A. were momentarily speechless. None of them had expected Kaminari to understand the deeper meaning behind the test so quickly.

Meanwhile, in Area B, Midoriya was sprinting toward the Zero Pointer himself, determined to save the girl trapped beneath the rubble.

"I've got a plan," Kaminari said, turning back to face his friends with a confident grin. "But it's only got a 50% chance of working."

He paused for a moment, his eyes gleaming with determination.

"Do you trust me?"

...

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Chapter Text

Chapter 26: Super! Electricity! Magnetic! Gun!
Seeing Kaminari's confident smile, Jiro felt a bit flustered. But beside her, Tetsutetsu stomped his foot, raised his clenched fists, and flashed a fierce grin.

"Well, since you said so… let's do this!!"

At that moment, Tetsutetsu looked undeniably cool.

"Jiro?" Kaminari grinned as he bumped fists with Tetsutetsu, then turned to Jiro.

"What do you want to do?" Jiro asked, curling her lips in mock irritation.

Her response made both Kaminari and Tetsutetsu smirk with satisfaction. In that moment, they knew—they could trust her. Jiro was no longer just a classmate; she was a teammate.

Real partners aren't formed by words alone, but through shared efforts and actions. And when you truly connect with someone, there's always a bit of reality that comes into play. No matter how passionate or idealistic your dreams may be, they need to be grounded in the real world.

"Alright, first thing!" Kaminari said, his smile fading into a more serious expression. He focused on the task at hand, but then he turned to Jiro and asked something that left her puzzled.

"You have a music player on you, right?"

At this point, the massive 'Zero Pointer' robot was less than sixty meters away, its sheer size displacing dust and debris as it crushed the surrounding buildings.

"Yeah… why?" Jiro replied, clearly confused.

"When the time comes, cue up "Only My Railgun", set it to loop, and crank the volume to max," Kaminari said, completely serious.

"..." Jiro.

"..." Tetsutetsu.

Back at U.A. High School, the heroes and teachers, still reeling from the spectacle of Midoriya's one-punch takedown of the Zero Pointer in Area B were left speechless once again by Kaminari's odd request.

"Uh… why?" Tetsutetsu asked, dumbfounded. Playing music at full volume during an emergency like this? He couldn't wrap his head around Kaminari's reasoning.

"BGM! You can't have a moment this epic without an equally epic battle song! It's gotta get everyone hyped!" Kaminari explained, waving his hand as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Alright, let's focus on what we need to do next."

"..."

Jiro and Tetsutetsu exchanged resigned glances, choosing not to argue. They simply nodded, ready to follow Kaminari's lead. After all, whatever weird ideas he had, they knew he had a plan. Ten seconds later, they sprang into action.

Since the 'high-speed boost' on Jiro and Tetsutetsu had worn off, Kaminari quickly recharged them with another jolt of electricity, just in case things went south. It would ensure they had enough mobility to escape if necessary.

Now, for the strategy.

Jiro detached her headphone jack from her ear and set up the music, despite thinking Kaminari's request was absurd. Meanwhile, Kaminari and Tetsutetsu, now glowing with golden electricity, dashed into a nearby building, racing up the stairwell at lightning speed.

As for the elevator? Please like that could keep up with them.

"Kaminari, why'd you say this ultimate move you're planning only has a 50% chance of success?" Tetsutetsu asked as they rushed up the stairs.

"Because it's huge. I've never faced anything this big before..."

"..."

Tetsutetsu fell silent, unsure if Kaminari meant to say that in such a weird way. Thankfully, they reached the top floor before he had time to question it further. Only a flimsy iron door stood between them and the rooftop.

"Boom!"

Tetsutetsu kicked the door off its hinges with ease, and they stepped onto the spacious rooftop. Ahead of them, the colossal Zero Pointer robot lumbered forward, unstoppable.

"Liberation! Keep the dream engraved in your heart!"

"I won't even hesitate to leave the future behind!"

"Ignore the meaningless, so-called limits!"

Below, Jiro had started the music, the familiar lyrics of "Only My Railgun" echoing in the distance. Though the volume wasn't deafening from this height, it was enough to get Kaminari's blood pumping. His heightened physical senses, thanks to his Quirk, made the song crystal clear.

Kaminari's excitement surged. For the first time, he could experience the kind of climactic, BGM-fueled moment that anime protagonists got to enjoy.

"Here we go, Tetsutetsu!"

"Right behind you!"

With a loud tearing sound, Tetsutetsu activated his Quirk, ripping off the remnants of his upper clothing. His steel body gleamed in the sunlight as he took his place in front of Kaminari.

"Bring it on!"

Meanwhile, down below, Jiro was carrying out her part of the plan. She stood dangerously close to the crumbling wreckage caused by the Zero Pointer's rampage, as chunks of debris fell around her. But wrapped in Kaminari's golden current, she showed no fear. Instead, she focused, extending her headphone jack toward the ground.

Then, with precise timing, she activated her Quirk.

The amplified sound of her heartbeat, multiplied tenfold, surged through her headphone jack and into the ground. The result was immediate.

"Crack—CRACK—"

"BOOM!"

The ground in front of Jiro shattered in a fan-like pattern, the solid concrete reduced to rubble in seconds.

"Not enough!" Jiro gritted her teeth. She knew her job wasn't just to destroy the ground but to slow down the Zero Pointer as much as possible, giving Kaminari and Tetsutetsu time to set up their attack.

Without hesitation, she darted forward, dodging the falling debris with her boosted speed. She positioned herself just ten meters ahead of the giant robot, dangerously close.

At this distance, Jiro could feel the ground trembling beneath her feet as the towering machine approached. The teachers monitoring the situation grew tense. With U.A.'s 'Recovery Girl' in Area B, any injuries Jiro suffered here might not get immediate treatment.

"There are only three minutes left in the exam!!"

Present Mic's voice suddenly echoed across the exam site. At the same time, "Only My Railgun" reached its climax.

"Lookin'!"

"The blitz loops this planet to search a way!"

"Only my RAILGUN can shoot it—"

"Right now!"

On the rooftop, a beam of dazzling golden light burst from Kaminari's location. It tore through the air, a brilliant streak of electricity arcing toward the Zero Pointer.

Jiro, the U.A. teachers, and all the candidates in Area C who hadn't already fled watched in awe as the beam sliced through the massive robot like it was made of paper. The golden light struck the Zero Pointer's control center with pinpoint accuracy, piercing through its core.

"Super—SUPER! ELECTRIC! MAGNETIC! RAILGUN!!"

Kaminari's triumphant roar echoed louder than the explosion that followed. As fire and lightning engulfed the giant robot, Kaminari stood on the rooftop, his blonde hair blowing in the wind, looking every bit the hero he aspired to be.

Well, except for the part where Tetsutetsu was launched off the rooftop in the process...

Chapter 27: Exposed
"Exam—OVER!!"

Present Mic's announcement echoed from the loudspeakers, followed by an alarm-like buzzing sound that resonated throughout all seven 'simulation communities.'

But in Area C, none of the candidates moved. Instead, they stood there, wide-eyed, staring in the direction of the enormous beam of light that had just obliterated the Zero Pointer.

The giant robot continued to explode in a spectacular fashion, a constant reminder of what had just transpired. And, of course, the song "Only My Railgun" kept playing on a loop in the background, adding to the surreal atmosphere.

To be fair, the candidates weren't the only ones caught off guard. The teachers back at U.A. were equally shocked. Most of them had been focused on the events in Area B, where Midoriya's punch had taken down a Zero Pointer. No one had seen the massive beam of light coming from Area C until now.

One thing was clear: whatever had just happened was well beyond the capabilities of the average student. It was one thing for Midoriya to destroy a robot with a punch, even at the cost of serious injury. But in Area C, the Zero Pointer had been completely annihilated, its core pierced clean through.

The thought crossed their minds, what if that beam had been directed at a person?

"Let's not jump to conclusions!" Nezu, the principal—a small, white, rat-like creature clapped his paws to gather the teachers' attention. "We'll know more once we review the footage."

With quick, practiced movements, he typed on the keyboard before him, merging six of the small screens into one large display. Soon, they were watching the event unfold from a satellite view, capturing every moment of Kaminari's actions from above.

Yes, U.A. had satellites, and it seemed they had more than one. Quite the powerful school, indeed.

On the screen, Tetsutetsu whose skin had turned dark due to his steel Quirk stood shirtless in front of Kaminari. The tattered remains of his clothes lay scattered around, making the scene look a bit... unusual.

But Kaminari's expression was completely serious. He stretched his arms forward, placing them parallel to either side of Tetsutetsu's steel frame.

Golden electricity began crackling between Kaminari's arms. The currents were controlled, obediently flowing between his hands without leaking. This steady buildup lasted for about twenty seconds before small sparks started dancing across Tetsutetsu's body.

Then, something remarkable happened.

Tetsutetsu's steel form began to rise slowly off the ground. Though he only floated about ten centimeters into the air, the effect was clear, he was hovering, kept within the field of energy between Kaminari's outstretched arms.

Tetsutetsu, looking visibly tense, closed his eyes and lifted his arms, bringing his palms together as if in prayer. In this moment, he entrusted everything to Kaminari, putting his complete faith in his friend.

Gradually, Tetsutetsu's body shifted from upright to horizontal, transforming him into a human-shaped steel missile aimed directly at the approaching Zero Pointer.

And then Kaminari's eyes sharpened.

Golden electricity erupted from him, filling the rooftop with an intense surge of power. The current was so strong that even the residual charge lit up the surrounding area, turning the rooftop into a danger zone crackling with energy.

"Super—SUPER! ELECTRIC! MAGNETIC! RAILGUN!!"

The words barely left Kaminari's mouth before the electricity condensed into a blinding golden beam, shooting forward with incredible speed. The beam tore through the air and pierced the center of the Zero Pointer, effortlessly cutting through its metal frame like a hot knife through butter.

Only after the massive robot exploded did Kaminari's voice catch up to the action. The teachers watching the footage heard his triumphant shout at the same time they witnessed the Zero Pointer's fiery destruction.

"..."

Silence hung over the U.A. staff room.

Principal Nezu, All Might, and the rest of the teachers were speechless for a moment.

What had they said during their meeting a few days ago?

Kaminari's control over electricity was nowhere near that advanced, right?

Hadn't they concluded that Kaminari wasn't as strong as other top candidates like Yoarashi Inasa or Todoroki Shoto in terms of raw combat power or mobility?

Could those two even beat Kaminari in a one-on-one duel now?

Kaminari was supposed to be mediocre when it came to academics and strategic thinking, right?

Then how in the world had he pulled off a move that involved electromagnetism? That was no beginner's trick.

The string of rhetorical questions left the teachers with nothing to say. If Midoriya's punch in Area B had surprised them, then Kaminari's electromagnetic railgun had left them completely floored.

Well, they'd subconsciously ignored Tetsutetsu's role in all this. There wasn't much to say about him after all. He'd been launched like a projectile, but Kaminari was clearly the star of the show.

But… what was Kaminari doing now?

On the screen, Kaminari's posture had changed. He was giving two enthusiastic thumbs-up, strutting around aimlessly, his expression oddly triumphant.

"Is he… congratulating himself?" All Might muttered, a confused look on his face. This strange behavior felt… familiar.

No! All Might quickly reminded himself. I'm a teacher at U.A. now. I can't think of these students as anything other than potential heroes.

No! I must remain professional!

But I can't... I can't hold it back anymore…

"He looks like an idiot," came a cold, deadpan voice from behind.

All Might, along with the other teachers in the room, exhaled as if a huge weight had been lifted from their shoulders. They'd been thinking the same thing but hadn't dared to say it out loud.

They turned to see Aizawa, better known as Eraser Head, standing behind them.

"This is probably his Quirk's limit," Aizawa continued, his tone thoughtful. He wasn't making a joke; he was seriously assessing Kaminari's condition.

After all, with Kaminari looking like a shoo-in for Class 1-A, Aizawa knew he'd be responsible for him soon. Understanding Kaminari's limits was crucial.

"Yes, there's a note in his file," Principal Nezu confirmed, his sharp mind recalling all the candidate data. "Kaminari Denki is prone to short-circuiting his brain if he releases more electrical power than his body can handle in a short period of time."

On the screen, Kaminari seemed to snap back to normal. He glanced around nervously, as if checking to make sure no one had seen his embarrassing moment. After confirming the coast was clear, he casually adjusted his clothes and hair, trying to look as cool as possible.

With a confident smile, he walked to the edge of the building, standing amid the sparks and fire of the destroyed robot. The fast-paced melody of "Only My Railgun" was still playing as he gave a thumbs-up toward the ground below.

Jiro Kyoka, looking up at him, couldn't help but smile.

"..." All Might.

"..." Principal Nezu.

"..." Aizawa Shouta.

"..." The rest of the Hero teachers.

Among the incoming students of U.A.'s Hero Course, they were witnessing the rise of a truly unique individual. A boy with incredible power… and a flair for theatrics. All the teachers couldn't help but smile, albeit with some exasperation.

Meanwhile, over in Area B…

*BOOM!*

Tetsutetsu, forgotten by everyone in the aftermath of the Zero Pointer's destruction, had been launched by Kaminari's blast. Driven by the force of the impact, he crashed into the ground, creating a crater.

Coincidentally, he landed right next to Midoriya, who lay unconscious, his injuries already healed by Recovery Girl's Quirk.

"..."

Recovery Girl stared at the unconscious Tetsutetsu, a confused look on her face.

"What in the world…?"

Chapter 28: Withdrawing From The Group
"Sigh..."

Kaminari, now drained of electricity, stepped into the elevator and hit the button for the ground floor. The elevator's quiet hum filled the air, the only sound as he descended. No BGM, no explosions just the soft whirr of the machinery.

This was a rare moment of peace, giving him time to think.

It wasn't that Kaminari didn't want to keep up his cool, "high-speed movement" entrance, with "Only My Railgun" blasting as he heroically swept Jiro off her feet from outside the building. But his body had other plans. The "super electromagnetic gun" he'd just used had wiped out all the electricity in his system.

Luckily, the glove on his right hand had started recharging him. The crystal on the back of his glove emitted a soft, glowing blue light as it worked.

Now, about that electromagnetic railgun…

In truth, that move was Kaminari's strongest attack, but before this, his "railgun" had only been a knockoff version of Misaka Mikoto's technique, using coins as a medium. The range was short, and the power output was capped, with a maximum distance of only fifty meters.

The reason for using coins aside from being easy to carry was his control over electromagnetism. It simply wasn't strong enough for anything more complex. Unlike the Misaka Mikoto of another world, Kaminari had some serious limitations to consider.

That's why when he told Tetsutetsu and Jiro he had a 50% chance of success, he was honestly overselling it. The actual odds were way lower. If the railgun failed, the worst that would happen was that he'd run out of power without being able to launch Tetsutetsu at the Zero Pointer.

Still, it had been a gamble worth taking.

After all, what's life without a little risk?

As long as you're prepared for the consequences and can handle them, why not go for it?

And this time, it had paid off. Not only had Kaminari secured passing marks for himself, Tetsutetsu, and Jiro, but he'd also grabbed the attention of U.A.'s teachers. Most importantly, though, he had gained a deeper understanding of his railgun technique.

This wasn't something he could have learned from studying electromagnetism in textbooks. It was the kind of knowledge that came from real experience, from pushing his limits in the heat of battle. While the payoff might not be obvious yet, Kaminari knew that in the future, this experience would be crucial for developing more advanced electromagnetic techniques.

"Still... I should brush up more on electromagnetism..."

*Ding!*

The elevator reached the first floor, the soft chime snapping Kaminari out of his thoughts. The metal doors slid open with a cold, mechanical precision, as if to silently remind him it was time to leave.

"Kaminari!!"

Jiro Kyoka's voice echoed through the entrance hall as she rushed toward him, clearly relieved to see him.

"Huh?"

Jiro looked around the elevator, puzzled. "Where's Tetsutetsu?"

"Oh, him..." Kaminari started, walking out of the elevator as he explained the chaotic events that had unfolded on the rooftop. Jiro listened, her mouth opening in disbelief. By the time Kaminari finished, she managed to distill her complicated emotions into one simple phrase:

"So the light that just shot out was... Tetsutetsu?"

When they stepped outside, Jiro frowned as she stared in the direction Tetsutetsu had been launched. "Is he going to be okay?"

"He'll be fine," Kaminari said, shaking his head. "The force from the electromagnetic push would've died down after it penetrated the Zero Pointer. I aimed to send him far, but not too far."

After all, the weight difference between a coin and Tetsutetsu was massive. Just because Kaminari could shoot a coin fifty meters didn't mean he could launch Tetsutetsu the same distance.

"After that, it was just inertia. But with Tetsutetsu's steel body, he'll be alright. Plus, we're still within U.A.'s grounds. Heroes must've already recovered him by now."

That said, only Tetsutetsu could have survived that kind of high-risk stunt. If anyone else had tried it, things might not have ended so well.

"Recovered..." Jiro muttered, her lips twitching at the odd choice of words. Still, the mention of U.A. heroes reassured her, easing her worry about Tetsutetsu.

Soon, Kaminari and Jiro reached the exit of Area C. The space was filled with candidates, many of whom looked battered and bruised after their encounters with the robots. But the moment Kaminari and Jiro appeared, all eyes were on them.

They all wanted to know what had caused that massive beam of light and why Kaminari had bothered with the Zero Pointer, knowing full well it didn't award any points. Most of the candidates had enough brains to figure out there had to be more to the story.

But Kaminari wasn't in the mood to explain. He was exhausted. Ignoring the stares, he gestured to Jiro and led her toward the exit, slipping through the crowd and heading toward the large iron gates.

He knew that once they left the 'simulation community,' there would be little chance for him to see or interact with the rest of the candidates anytime soon. Their paths were likely to diverge.

Well, except maybe if they liked his music. Some might brag about taking the U.A. exam alongside Kaminari Denki, the rising star with the hot new single.

But let's be real when it came to exams like this, any talk of "friendship before competition" was just an empty platitude. The cold, hard fact was that only forty out of over a thousand candidates would pass. Well, actually, excluding the four recommended students, only thirty-six people would make it through those gates wearing the U.A. school uniform tomorrow.

Kaminari climbed onto the bus, returned to his seat, and closed his eyes. He needed rest. There was so much to look forward to, becoming a hero, meeting new friends, and, of course, facing new villains.

Having watched tons of anime in his previous life, Kaminari knew all too well that in a world filled with Quirks, heroes, and villains, conflict was inevitable. It was part of the balance.

Although Kaminari didn't aspire to be a typical, professional Hero, by choosing this path, he'd knowingly stepped into the middle of that conflict.

But wasn't that what made life exciting?

In his old world, a world without Quirks, Kaminari had spent countless hours fantasizing about moments like these. Now, those fantasies were becoming reality. How could he back down now?

This was why he'd spent 80% of his free time studying, training, and preparing himself.

Otherwise, wouldn't it have been easier to just copy songs and animations, become a pop star, and make a fortune that way?

But then what? What if a villain threatened him or his family? Was he supposed to just sit on his wealth, hoping some professional Hero would show up in time to save them?

No way.

It was better to be strong. To have the power to protect the people around him.

And as for being a star? Well, why not have both? Kaminari Denki wanted it all. With a new life ahead of him, why not make it as extraordinary as possible?

If that meant trading away his leisure time, sweat, and hard work to achieve it, then so be it. He had no regrets.

Meanwhile, the buses carrying candidates from all the major 'simulation communities' were making their way back to U.A. High School, where their fates would soon be decided.

In the teacher's lounge, the principal and the instructors began their final discussions about who would be placed in Class 1-A of the Hero Course. U.A.'s rules were strict, only forty students would be admitted into the Hero Course, with Class A and Class B each having twenty members.

Four names were already set in stone: Kaminari, Tetsutetsu, Jiro, and Midoriya. They had passed with flying colors in terms of their performance, their Hero spirit, teamwork, and the potential of their Quirks. No debate was needed.

As for Midoriya, his performance spoke for itself.

The real discussion, however, was focused on two candidates: Minoru Mineta and Eijiro Kirishima. Mineta had the lowest score in the practical exam, and his Quirk was more suited to support than direct combat.

Kirishima, on the other hand, had a high score, but his Quirk overlapped significantly with Tetsutetsu's, and his overall performance hadn't been as strong as Tetsutetsu's.

Now the question was clear: who would be asked to withdraw from Class 1-A?

Chapter 29: Minoru Mineta

At this moment, the comprehensive results of the practical test were tallied and displayed clearly on U.A.'s large screen:

NO.1 - Kaminari Denki - 103 (Hero Points) - 50 (Rescue Points)
NO.2 - Bakugo Katsuki - 087 - 00
NO.3 - Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu - 060 - 20
NO.4 - Jiro Kyoka - 053 - 20
NO.5 - Kirishima Eijiro - 039 - 35

The most impressive result was Kaminari's.

Not only had he racked up an incredible score, but he had also impressed the judges with his Hero spirit and exceptional teamwork. Even though the special rescue points weren't necessary for him, the examiners had still awarded him a symbolic fifty points.

Because of this, the discussion among the teachers regarding Kaminari was brief. He was guaranteed to be in Class 1-A, so there was no point in debating further.

Only Midnight, U.A.'s alluring and playful pro Hero, glanced at Kaminari's name with a mischievous smirk. She was looking forward to the next time they met, especially after he'd 'deceived' her during the exam.

"It's not very gentlemanly to toy with a woman's heart..." she muttered to herself, amused.

With Kaminari's placement secured, the real discussion about the distribution of students into Class 1-A and Class 1-B began.

"If we're going purely by scores, Minoru Mineta should be placed in Class B," Principal Nezu began, swiftly pulling up Mineta's exam data and his recorded performance. "But as we all know, class assignments are not based solely on scores."

"Minoru Mineta's Quirk is 'Pop Off.' Those round, grape-like objects on his head are extremely sticky. They can remain stuck to a person for more than twenty-four hours and regenerate quickly."

"However, if he uses too many in a short period of time, he begins to bleed from his scalp," Nezu continued, referencing the Quirk analysis on the screen.

Present Mic whistled and leaned back in his chair with a grin. "Tsk, tsk, tsk—control-type Quirks. Perfect for Heroes."

"Indeed," Midnight agreed, thoughtfully touching her chin. "While Heroes need the power to deal serious damage when necessary, capturing and restraining villains is always the preferred method. This kid's Quirk is perfect for that."

The other teachers quickly nodded in agreement. As professional Heroes themselves, they could all see the practical applications of Mineta's Quirk in various situations. Even though Mineta had ranked near the bottom of the results, his Quirk was highly useful. There was no doubt in anyone's mind that he belonged in Class 1-A.

Vlad King, the teacher in charge of Class 1-B, raised a practical point. "Are we really going to move Kirishima Eijiro to Class B, just because his Quirk overlaps with Tetsutetsu's?"

He pulled up Kirishima's data on the screen, comparing it with that of other candidates. "Kirishima ranked fifth in the exam. It doesn't seem fair to move him, especially when we've got other candidates like Rikido Sato, whose Quirk overlaps with theirs. Or take Koji Koda and Toru Hagakure, for example. They're also among the lower ranks and have more support-based Quirks."

All Might, Nezu, and the rest of the teachers paused, considering Vlad King's point. Then Principal Nezu turned to Aizawa Shouta, the pro Hero Eraser Head, who had been standing silently at the back of the room.

"As the homeroom teacher for Class 1-A, what do you think?"

Aizawa squinted at the screen, studying the profiles of the candidates for a long moment before his muffled voice finally emerged from behind his scarf.

"I've made my decision," he said, his tone flat yet decisive.

---

Meanwhile, the candidates were once again passing through the gates of U.A., though this time they were leaving, not entering. Each of them carried the weight of uncertainty, knowing that not everyone would be returning.

Some had already accepted that this was the closest they'd ever get to becoming a Hero. The reality was sinking in, at only fifteen years old, they were already facing the harshness of the world.

But Kaminari and Jiro were not among the crowd heading home just yet. Instead, they were standing in U.A.'s infirmary, watching over a snoring Tetsutetsu, who was lying on a bed.

Recovery Girl, the pro Hero with the Quirk that allowed her to speed up healing, had reassured them that Tetsutetsu wasn't hurt he was just knocked unconscious from his earlier "missile" adventure.

The boy who had been sent to the infirmary with Tetsutetsu, Midoriya Izuku, had already left. Kaminari heard his injuries were much worse, but Recovery Girl had healed him enough to go home.

"So, what now?" Jiro asked with a chuckle, glancing at their still-sleeping friend.

"Simple," Kaminari smirked, raising his right index finger and poking Tetsutetsu's arm. A small, controlled spark of golden electricity zapped through his finger with a crackling sound.

"Wake up time!"

"AHH!" Tetsutetsu shot up in bed with a shout, his steel skin activating out of pure reflex. His eyes darted around the room in confusion.

"Why are you here? No, where am *I*?" He looked down at the blanket covering him, then at Kaminari and Jiro, before blurting out, "Wait, what about the exam?!"

Seeing there was no immediate danger, his body returned to its normal state.

"The exam's over," Jiro replied, hands in her pockets.

"...Over?" Tetsutetsu repeated slowly, rubbing the back of his head as he swung his legs off the bed. "So... did we pass?"

"I'm not sure yet. Present Mic said the final results will be mailed to us," Kaminari said, giving Tetsutetsu a light punch to the chest. "But don't worry we totally passed. All three of us."

Tetsutetsu let out a long sigh of relief. "Whew good. I just wanted to get through that exam!"

"Alright, let's exchange contact info with Jiro, and then we can head home," Kaminari said, yawning as he thought about the long journey ahead. The Shinkansen would take another hour to get him back to Saitama, and the thought made him sigh inwardly.

While many students would be looking to rent a place closer to U.A., Kaminari had no such plans. In his previous life, he'd had a distant relationship with his parents, but now that he had this second chance, he cherished every moment with them. Maybe most people didn't understand that feeling, but for Kaminari, each home-cooked meal made by his mom was a small joy he couldn't give up.

He was willing to endure the two-hour commute just for that. And besides, he could always use the travel time to study electromagnetism or catch up on other subjects.

After saying their goodbyes to Jiro, Kaminari and Tetsutetsu made their way to the underground station where their journey had begun earlier that morning.

"You know, Jiro's pretty lucky. It only takes her fifteen minutes to get home from U.A.," Tetsutetsu said with a hint of envy as they walked.

"So, do you want to rent a place nearby?" Kaminari asked casually.

"I thought about it," Tetsutetsu admitted, before striking a pose that mimicked a judo stance. "But not anymore. I've fallen in love with practicing judo with Sensei Daimon. No way I'm giving that up just because of a longer commute!"

"Oh, is that so? Impressive." Kaminari glanced at him with a smirk. "So, how many moves have you mastered so far?"

"..."

Tetsutetsu froze, his face turning sheepish. He quickly looked away in embarrassment. "I don't want to talk about it!"

Chapter 30: Hero Costume
It was three o'clock when Kaminari and Tetsutetsu left U.A. High School, and by the time Kaminari finally arrived home, it was already 4:35pm. Since it wasn't yet dinner time, the usual aroma of home-cooked food was absent from the house.

However, both his parents were there, which surprised Kaminari.

"You're home early," he said, looking at his father. "This isn't your usual time to get off work, right?"

Kaminari's father grinned with pride, ruffling his son's hair as he replied, "Today's the day of your Hero exam. How could I focus on work when that's all I've been thinking about?"

His mother, who had been standing nearby, came over to take his backpack containing his casual clothes and gloves gently from his shoulders. With an expectant smile, she asked, "So, how did it go?"

Kaminari beamed confidently. "I'm 99% sure I passed!" he declared. In front of his parents, there was no need to be modest.

"Hahaha!" Kaminari's father burst into laughter, clearly pleased. He trusted Kaminari's words completely. If his son said he'd passed, then it was as good as done.

"By the way," his father continued, "how did those gloves work out?"

His question shifted the mood to a more relaxed, lively atmosphere. Kaminari's father had spent a lot of money on those gloves, so naturally, he wanted to know if they'd lived up to expectations.

"They were great. Really smooth when charging," Kaminari said with a nod, glancing at the gloves his mother had set on the coffee table. "But… it would be nice if they had a few more features."

"Oh?" his father asked, intrigued. "What features?"

"For starters, a built-in music player would be cool," Kaminari said with a smirk. "And maybe the ability to shoot barbed wire especially the latter. That would give me some long-range capture ability."

His father and mother exchanged amused looks. The barbed wire suggestion made sense, but they couldn't help but be puzzled by the music request.

Still, Kaminari's father nodded. "Alright, write down your ideas when you get the chance, and I'll contact the company to see if they can add those features in a second modification."

"That would be awesome!" Kaminari grinned, already imagining the upgrades to his gear. But before he could get too lost in thought, his father interrupted him.

"By the way, there's something else I need to tell you," his father said, his tone shifting. "Your song 'Hero' has climbed to number three on MTV's best-selling list. Since last night, we've been flooded with calls from media outlets and companies."

Kaminari blinked in surprise as his mother looked at him, eyes sparkling with pride. "So, my son's really becoming a big star, huh?" she teased lovingly.

Kaminari scratched the back of his head. "I wouldn't go that far. The song's popular, sure, but I'm not exactly a household name yet, right?" He looked at his father, who usually kept up with these things more closely.

"Hahaha!" His father laughed heartily again. "Wrong guess, kid."

"Wrong?"

"Yep. Remember when you announced that you were aiming to get into U.A.'s Hero Course?" His dad pulled out his phone, opened the MTV app, and showed Kaminari his artist page.

"Turns out, the massive popularity of Heroes has gotten people more interested in you, too. That announcement gave 'Hero' a huge boost. The folks at MTV say that if you actually get admitted to the Hero Course and post your acceptance letter, your fame will skyrocket even more."

Kaminari's father looked serious now. "You've got a decision to make, son. You could strike while the iron's hot, accept media interviews, sign advertising deals with companies, and officially debut as a fifteen-year-old hero student."

"Or…"

Kaminari understood the weight of the choice in front of him, but he wasn't fazed. He'd already mapped out his life plan long ago.

"Dad, I want you to decline all the interviews and ad deals," Kaminari said calmly. "For the next three years, I'm going to focus entirely on my Hero Course, train hard to master my Quirk, and work toward getting my Hero License."

His eyes were steady, showing no hesitation. "From now on, my only identity will be as a student in U.A.'s Class 1-A who also happens to like singing."

"Of course, I'll still post photos and updates on MTV when I have time, and if I can, I might release new songs every now and then. But my priority is becoming a Hero."

Hearing this, Kaminari's father felt a wave of pride wash over him. His son was different, and he knew it. Most families might see this kind of opportunity as too good to pass up, thinking that fame and money were within reach.

But to Kaminari's father, the path of a professional Hero was on an entirely different level. Becoming an entertainment star couldn't compare to the prestige and fulfillment of being a Hero who saves lives.

Besides, the family didn't need Kaminari to bring in money at such a young age. Financially, they were more than stable. In fact, his business had been doing better than ever lately, with unexpected smoothness in government dealings and commercial ventures. Everything seemed to be going their way.

With a confident smile, Kaminari's father placed a hand on his son's shoulder. "Alright, I'll handle everything on my end. You focus on your studies and your training at U.A."

He patted Kaminari's shoulder lightly and added, "I'll do whatever I can to support your dreams. Now, go rest—you've earned it."

From a young age, Kaminari's father had noticed that his son was special especially in terms of intelligence. There were times when he wondered if Kaminari's real Quirk had something to do with his IQ. But in any case, Kaminari had proven time and again that he could handle himself.

Meanwhile, Kaminari's mother had gone back to her room to change into a coat. She was planning to make a quick run to the nearby Tamade Supermarket to pick up some fish and meat for dinner. Her son had been through a lot at the U.A. exam, and she wanted to make sure he was well-fed tonight.

Just as Kaminari was about to head to his room, he turned to his father and said, "Oh, by the way, Dad I sent the rough drafts for Pokémon to your office computer earlier."

His father's eyes lit up. "You finished it already? That's great news!"

His smile grew even wider. It felt like everything was falling into place lately one good thing after another.

"I've already found a cartoonist to start working on it tomorrow," his father added, clearly excited about the project.

"Already? Who's the artist?" Kaminari asked curiously, though he wasn't expecting any big names.

"Oh, his name is Junichi shan. He's a young, relatively unknown cartoonist with solid drawing skills, but he's not great at coming up with original stories," his father admitted with a bit of embarrassment.

He had tried reaching out to more well-known artists, but they either weren't interested in collaborations like this, or their asking prices were through the roof. So, he had settled on a newcomer like Junichi, figuring that fresh talent might be more energetic and easier to work with.

"As expected," Kaminari thought to himself. But he wasn't bothered by the choice. He knew how strong Pokémon as a franchise could be, and it might actually be a good thing to help a new artist rise along with the story.

---

The next morning, on February 27th, the family of three had a simple breakfast together. After seeing his father off to work, Kaminari settled into his room to tackle his own tasks for the day.

At the top of his list: designing his Hero costume.

After passing the written exam, U.A. had required all prospective students to submit their ideas for their Hero costumes, and Kaminari had handed in a basic concept at the time. But last night, something unusual had happened.

U.A. had called him to say that the original support company responsible for his costume had passed the project over to a Mitsui-owned support company, which was now asking him to resubmit his design with as many specific details as possible.

This was highly unusual. Typically, support companies only accepted a small portion of a student's design ideas when making costumes for free. And while the quality of the materials used was always top-notch, it wasn't common for them to allow this much input.

Both Kaminari and U.A. had been left speculating as to why Mitsui was taking such an interest in his costume. Some of the more gossipy staff even wondered if Kaminari might be the illegitimate son of a Mitsui executive.

But Kaminari wasn't concerned. If they were offering better equipment, why not take advantage of it? It didn't do him any harm, after all.

"Hmm... The costume's gotta be cool, and it's gotta stand out... Maybe a skateboard, but without wheels. Hmm... I bet Mitsui can handle that."

"And I definitely need to factor in some defensive features…"

...

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Chapter Text

Chapter 31: The Beginning of Everything
February 28th the official opening day of U.A. High School started bright and early at 7:30 in the morning.

After finishing the breakfast his mother had carefully prepared, Kaminari donned his freshly pressed U.A. school uniform, along with his cool electric gloves. Under his mother's gentle and encouraging gaze, he stepped out the door, ready to begin a new chapter in his life.

His father had already gone down to the underground garage, preparing to personally drive Kaminari to the subway station for this important day. Kaminari understood his father's feelings and, rather than rejecting the offer out of concern for wasting time, he accepted it. Sometimes, letting your parents show their care makes them happier.

Soon enough, Kaminari got out of the family's black BMW, standing at the subway station entrance. While the station was close by, his father seemed absolutely thrilled to be a part of this moment, which warmed Kaminari's heart.

"Thanks, Dad," Kaminari said with a smile as he waved goodbye. His father waved back enthusiastically before driving off.

As Kaminari approached the station entrance, a loud voice suddenly called out.

"Kaminari!!"

Tetsutetsu, who was waiting by the entrance, shouted excitedly upon seeing him.

"Huh?"

The moment he yelled, however, the attention of people nearby those on their way to work or school was immediately drawn to Kaminari. They all glanced over at him curiously.

"Hey, that guy looks kind of familiar..." murmured a girl in a white school uniform, her long, light blue hair flowing down her back.

"Are you kidding? That's Kaminari Denki!" her friend gasped, giving her a little push. "You were just listening to Only My Railgun yesterday, weren't you?!"

"Wait, really? Let me check..." The blue-haired girl quickly opened her phone and pulled up the Japanese MTV app, comparing the photo of Kaminari on the screen with the boy standing at the subway entrance. In seconds, her jaw dropped.

"It's him! It's really Kaminari Denki... I can't believe we're seeing a celebrity in real life!"

And just like that, it was as if a spark had ignited in the air. More and more students began recognizing Kaminari, whispering excitedly among themselves. Seeing such a popular star—one of their own age, no less wasn't something that happened every day.

*Click.*
*Click.*

Phones were whipped out in an instant, and the crowd around Kaminari began snapping pictures of him. Some of the office workers, who hadn't initially realized what was going on, started taking pictures too thinking they might be able to brag later about spotting a celebrity on their way to work.

Suddenly, the familiar opening notes of Only My Railgun began to play, coming from somewhere in the crowd. The song was instantly recognizable; even the adults who weren't familiar with Kaminari had heard the tune on the radio or TV countless times before.

Kaminari couldn't help but smile his signature handsome smile. Curiously, he looked toward the source of the music and found it was coming from a black-haired girl standing next to the blue-haired one. She looked absolutely thrilled to have caught his attention.

The girl had done it on purpose. She'd played Only My Railgun on her phone just to grab Kaminari's notice, and now, her heart was pounding with excitement.

With her pink phone still playing Only My Railgun, the girl hurried over to Kaminari, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Hi! My name is Mizukawa Minami. I'm a second-year middle school student, and I—I really love your song Only My Railgun and Hero! Could we, um, maybe take a picture together?"

Her words stumbled slightly, whether from excitement or nerves, but she managed to get her request out in one breath.

Kaminari smiled warmly. "It's an honor to know you like my song," he replied graciously. "I'd be happy to take a picture, but just one, okay? Like you, I've got school to get to."

Mizukawa's face lit up with joy, and she eagerly grabbed the hand of her blue-haired friend, pulling her close. The two girls flanked Kaminari, while Mizukawa held up her phone to snap a selfie.

But as she positioned the phone, she realized it was too close to capture all three of them properly, which made her panic. After all, this was a rare chance! If the picture didn't turn out right, she'd regret it forever.

"Ahem," Tetsutetsu awkwardly cleared his throat, stepping forward. "Uh, I could take the picture for you, if that helps?"

"You... you are?" Mizukawa blinked in surprise but quickly noticed Tetsutetsu's U.A. uniform. "Wait, are you a Hero student too?!"

"Yeah, his name is Tetsutetsu," Kaminari chimed in with a grin. "He's my best friend and classmate."

"Wow... meeting two future Heroes in one day!" Mizukawa said excitedly, handing her phone to Tetsutetsu. Then, with a playful smile, she added, "Make sure the picture comes out great, alright? And when you're done, we'll take one with you too!"

After all, who knew? One day, Tetsutetsu could become a famous pro Hero too.

"Uh... no, no need," Tetsutetsu mumbled, suddenly shy. It seemed even the normally tough Tetsutetsu got nervous around girls, which Kaminari found pretty amusing.

The picture was taken, and Mizukawa was thrilled with the result. True to her word, she also took a picture with Tetsutetsu, who, despite blushing furiously, managed to stand still long enough for the shot. After thanking them both, the two girls happily waved goodbye and headed off to school.

"Phew..." Tetsutetsu wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead, chuckling. "Looks like you've gotten really popular, Kaminari. I guess I can't just call out your name in public anymore, huh?"

"Alright, alright, let's go," Kaminari laughed, clapping Tetsutetsu on the shoulder. "The Shinkansen leaves in ten minutes. We don't have time to mess around."

With that, the two of them entered the subway station. Though the crowd of students and office workers was disappointed they didn't get to snap a picture with Kaminari themselves, they were still satisfied with the close-up shots they'd managed to get. At the very least, they had a great story to tell later that day.

After an hour-long train ride, during which Kaminari reviewed some material on electromagnetism, they arrived once again in Shizuoka Prefecture, at the gates of U.A. High School.

The two of them stood in front of the massive protective wall, gazing up at the Hero school emblem etched into the stone above them.

After a moment of silence, Tetsutetsu broke into a grin. "Hey, Kaminari, starting today, we're officially U.A. students, huh?"

"Yeah," Kaminari nodded. "Are you ready?"

"Definitely!" Tetsutetsu replied with confidence. Together, the two of them stepped forward, walking side by side through the gates. Behind them, the morning sun rose higher, casting a golden glow that formed the perfect backdrop.

"Heroes! Here we come!!"

"Kaminari! Tetsutetsu!"

A familiar voice called out from behind them. When they turned around, they saw Jiro Kyoka running toward them, the sunlight framing her figure as she waved excitedly. She blended into the scene so naturally, it felt like the perfect moment.

From a distance, the three of them Kaminari, Tetsutetsu, and Jiro all dressed in their U.A. school uniforms, with the Hero emblem shining in the background, made for a picture-perfect sight.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the city, a green-haired boy was stepping out of his house. Under the encouraging gaze of his mother, he took a deep breath and let the morning sunlight bathe his face.

"All Might! Here I come!!" he shouted, determination filling his voice.

And with that, everything truly began.

Chapter 32: First Acquaintance
"This place is huge!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed as he looked around the sprawling campus of U.A. High School in awe.

"For real," Jiro agreed, glancing around as well. She tried to be discreet, but her eyes flickered over the other students wearing the same U.A. uniform as them, clearly just as curious.

"And there are so many students..." Tetsutetsu added, his initial excitement cooling off as his expression became more neutral. He even started stuffing his hands into his pockets, like he was already used to the vibe of being at U.A.

It was easy to tell that Tetsutetsu was beginning to see himself as part of this prestigious Hero school. His demeanor showed how simple guys like him could adapt quickly.

"Well, that makes sense," Kaminari chimed in from the front, keeping his eyes on the signs directing them toward Class 1-A. "U.A. doesn't just have the Hero Course, but also the Support Course, Business Administration, and even regular academic tracks."

"But even for the general subjects, U.A. accepts way fewer students than other schools. The entrance exams for U.A., whether practical or written, are no joke," Kaminari continued, leading the way as the three of them entered an elevator to the fifth floor.

The elevator opened to reveal a large hallway. To the left were classrooms for the Support and Business Administration courses, and on the right were those for the Hero Course.

"Here it is... Hero Course, Class 1-A," Kaminari announced as they approached a door with "1-A" painted in bold red letters above it. The number seemed almost too large, giving the door an intimidating presence.

But there was no reason to be nervous. They'd made it. They were here, ready to meet their classmates and start their journey as heroes.

Kaminari, with a calm expression, pushed the door open and stepped inside. He felt a surge of curiosity more than anything—wondering who his new classmates would be and what kind of Quirks they had.

As the door swung open, the room fell silent. The students who had already taken their seats turned to look at the three newcomers.

For a moment, everyone just stared at each other, as if sizing one another up.

Then, a tall boy in the back with glasses suddenly stood up. With a serious expression, he walked toward them, stopping in front of Kaminari, Tetsutetsu, and Jiro before extending his right hand.

"Good morning!" he said in a formal tone. "I am Iida Tenya, from Soumei Private Academy! I look forward to working with you all."

Kaminari recognized him immediately as the same Iida who'd left a strong impression during the entrance exam. Despite their tense interaction back then, Kaminari didn't hold any grudges. He reached out and shook Iida's hand.

"Kaminari Denki," he introduced himself.

"Jiro Kyoka," Jiro said coolly, giving a small nod.

Tetsutetsu, on the other hand, puffed out his chest and declared proudly, "Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu! I'm going to be the hardest, most hardcore hero out there!"

For a moment, no one in the room reacted. But a red-haired boy sitting near the back raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Though he said nothing, it was clear from his expression that he was already making a mental note to challenge Tetsutetsu at some point.

The three of them made their way to seats by the windows, with Kaminari taking the middle one. As soon as he sat down, a taller-than-average girl with long black hair sitting nearby turned to look at him, her eyes lighting up with interest.

"Kaminari... Denki?"

"Uh, yeah?" Kaminari responded, flashing a polite smile, already used to people recognizing his name.

"Hello, my name is Yaoyorozu Momo," she said with a warm smile. "I've heard your music before."

Kaminari's eyebrows lifted slightly, surprised to meet someone here who knew his music. Yaoyorozu continued, "I'm not particularly into rock, but your songs are really enjoyable to listen to."

"Especially Only My Railgun. Though I think Hero is more of a boy's song," she added with a playful glint in her eyes.

"Thanks. It's an honor to know you liked them," Kaminari replied smoothly, having heard similar compliments from fans many times before. Even though Yaoyorozu was a beautiful girl, he remained composed.

"Pfft." Yaoyorozu suddenly laughed, giving him a playful glance. "Come on, we're classmates now! Is it really okay to be so formal?"

She then leaned in slightly and added with a teasing smile, "I've seen your page on MTV before. That's not how you replied to comments on there!"

Kaminari was momentarily speechless, while the other students who had been observing the exchange began whispering among themselves. Some of them seemed to be connecting the dots, realizing that Kaminari might actually be more than just a regular student.

A pink-haired girl sitting nearby quickly pulled out her phone and, after a moment of searching, gasped. "Wait a minute! You're the guy who sang Only My Railgun!?"

As soon as she said it, the rest of the students who were unfamiliar with the music scene started reacting too.

Several of them took out their phones and began searching for him, and soon the room was buzzing with murmurs of surprise.

"It's really him!"

"No way! Our classmate is the creator of Only My Railgun?" exclaimed Toru Hagakure, whose invisible figure was only noticeable by her floating clothes. Tetsutetsu kept glancing at her, clearly fascinated by her Quirk.

"Wait, Hero is your song too? I've listened to that track at least ten times!" shouted the red-haired boy from earlier—Kirishima Eijiro.

Even students who hadn't joined in on the phone searches, like Todoroki and Tokoyami, now glanced at Kaminari with mild interest.

Kaminari raised a hand, giving a small wave as he addressed the class. "Thanks, everyone. I appreciate the support, but remember—right now, I'm not a singer or a star. I'm just a student in Class 1-A of U.A., just like all of you. I look forward to working with you."

His calm response was met with approving nods. Kaminari knew this kind of attention wouldn't last long. After today, once everyone got used to him, it would all die down. They'd see him as a fellow student rather than a celebrity.

*Bang!*

The door to the classroom suddenly swung open with a loud crash. The sound reverberated through the room, and everyone froze.

All eyes turned toward the entrance, where a boy with spiky, ash-blonde hair stood. His whole posture screamed arrogance. From the way he walked to the way he carried himself, he looked more like a delinquent than a student.

With a loud thud, he slumped into a seat in the back of the room, casually propping his feet up on the desk.

Kaminari watched him with mild annoyance. He didn't know this guy personally, but he didn't like him already. There was something about his demeanor that just rubbed Kaminari the wrong way. It wasn't just a matter of age, it was something simpler than that. He just didn't like this type of person.

"You!"

Chapter 33: The Current Limit

At this moment, Iida couldn't sit still. He stood up, walked over to Bakugo, and shouted, "Don't put your feet on the desk!"

"Huh?" Bakugo sneered, his sharp eyes glaring at the boy in glasses who dared to challenge him.

"It's disrespectful! To U.A.'s seniors and the people who made these desks!" Iida continued with a serious expression, his sense of justice overpowering any fear he might've had.

Bakugo, who was already irritated, found this comical. He laughed in disbelief. It was rare for him to meet someone so straightforward who wasn't afraid of him.

"Don't give me that crap!"

"And who do you think you are, huh? What school did you even come from, huh?! Some extra middle school?!" Bakugo taunted, his eyes flashing with disdain.

"I..."

Before Iida could respond, Kaminari, who had been silently watching this exchange, couldn't take it anymore. Bakugo's arrogance was grating on his nerves. He wasn't used to seeing this level of rudeness, especially from someone aiming to become a professional hero.

He interjected, his tone calm but firm. "Does it matter where he graduated from? He told you to put your feet down. Cut the nonsense and listen. Or do you not understand simple nihon? Maybe you have some kind of defect?"

"You bastard!" Bakugo's temper flared as he locked eyes with Kaminari, his hands instinctively curling inward, ready to ignite his Quirk.

"What? Not happy about it?" Kaminari shot back, completely unfazed.

Without hesitation, Tetsutetsu stood up, his fists clenched. He cracked his knuckles and smirked, stepping up beside Kaminari. "If you don't like it, tough luck. Hold it in!"

"You want to die?" Bakugo growled, his eyes darkening as he stood up, ready to escalate the situation further.

Die? Kaminari's eyes narrowed at the word. This guy's aggression was completely out of place. Was he really aspiring to be a Hero? His entire attitude seemed more fitting for a villain.

Kaminari didn't feel like backing down, but he also knew that fights weren't allowed. Still, he was confident that if things came to blows, Tetsutetsu would hold his own.

Before anything could happen, Kaminari noticed something out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head slightly and saw a green-haired boy standing hesitantly at the door. The tension in the room shifted as more people took notice of him.

Bakugo's expression changed the moment he spotted the boy. His lips curled in a sneer, but after a moment, he grumbled something under his breath and sat back down, shooting Tetsutetsu a warning glance.

For whatever reason, seeing that green-haired boy had made Bakugo back down. His feet didn't go back up on the desk either.

With the situation diffused, Iida, ever the representative of proper behavior, quickly went over to greet the green-haired boy. Soon after, a cheerful girl with brown hair—Uraraka Ochaco joined them.

But Kaminari's focus shifted. He was waiting for the person who mattered the most in this moment: their teacher.

And then, the door creaked open again. But this time, what Kaminari saw was… unexpected.

A man in a yellow sleeping bag, lying on the floor, made his way into the classroom. His movements were sluggish, his hair disheveled, and his eyes half-closed as if he'd just woken up.

"If you're here to mess around or make friends, go do it somewhere else," he said in a monotone voice, not even bothering to stand up properly. "This is the Hero Course."

"..."

The class fell into an awkward silence. They didn't know what to make of this strange sight.

"It took eight seconds for you all to shut up," the man muttered as he finally stood up, emerging from the sleeping bag with an exhausted expression. "That's way too long. You're all unreasonable."

Kaminari felt a twinge of disappointment. This was their homeroom teacher? He had been expecting someone more… dynamic. This guy looked like he could barely be bothered to be here. Kaminari couldn't help but wonder if this teacher even had the energy to fight.

"I am your homeroom teacher, Aizawa Shota," the man finally introduced himself in a low, lazy voice.

Most of the class exchanged uneasy glances. This wasn't the kind of hero teacher they'd imagined. Hadn't they heard that All Might would be teaching at U.A.? Shouldn't their class, being the top Hero course, have someone like him as their teacher?

But Aizawa didn't seem to care about their internal doubts. He pulled a bag from his shoulder, rummaging through it before pulling out blue and white tracksuits.

"Don't waste time. Put these on and meet me at the training ground."

---

Ten minutes later, the class gathered on the empty playground. It wasn't that the students were slow to change, but the boys and girls had to take turns using the indoor changing rooms. The girls, naturally, took a bit more time.

Kaminari had noticed something during the break. A short boy, barely over a meter tall, had been lurking near the girls' changing room, trying to eavesdrop with a perverted grin on his face.

This "purple grape" boy had definitely left an impression on Kaminari, though he didn't know his name yet. He was curious about what kind of Quirk this kid had to match such a sleazy personality.

Once everyone was gathered in their sportswear, Aizawa, who had been standing around looking like he was about to fall asleep, finally addressed them.

"Today's lesson is a Quirk Apprehension Test," he announced bluntly.

Uraraka, who had been looking forward to the entrance ceremony, let out a disappointed groan. But Aizawa shut down her complaint without hesitation.

"If you want to become a pro hero, there's no time for pointless ceremonies," he said coldly.

"I see," Kaminari thought. "So, the reason we haven't seen anyone on the playground is because everyone else went to the entrance ceremony."

It was becoming clear that Aizawa's teaching style was no-nonsense. And honestly, Kaminari liked it. He had always hated long, boring ceremonies.

Aizawa explained the premise of the test. Unlike the usual physical tests they had done in middle school, this time, they would be using their Quirks to push their abilities to the limit.

There were eight events in total:

Ball throw, standing long jump, 50-meter dash, endurance run, grip strength, repeated side jumps, sit-ups, and a forward bend.

Though the exercises were familiar, Kaminari felt a surge of excitement. Using their Quirks to test basic abilities? This was a chance to see what everyone else's powers were, and he was eager to see how his classmates would perform.

His thoughts wandered again, imagining the possibilities. Maybe there was someone like Tetsutetsu with Quirks akin to the X-Men from his previous life. That would be pretty cool.

But his train of thought was cut off when Aizawa suddenly called his name.

"Kaminari Denki. You came in first during the practical exam, correct?"

"Yes," Kaminari replied confidently, noticing Bakugo's irritated expression at being outdone by him.

"How far could you throw a ball in junior high school?"

"Seventy-two meters," Kaminari answered nonchalantly.

He wasn't boasting, he'd worked hard for those results. After years of consistent training, his physical fitness was well above average. He might not have Tetsutetsu's raw strength, but compared to the other students, he was sure he'd hold his own.

"Seventy-two meters…" Bakugo scoffed under his breath, clearly unhappy. His own record was 67 meters, and he didn't understand how Kaminari, who didn't seem particularly strong, could throw farther than him.

But Bakugo didn't know that Kaminari had been training for almost a decade. If he did, he'd probably be even more upset.

"Now, use your Quirk and try again," Aizawa instructed, handing Kaminari the ball.

Kaminari stepped up to the white circle that marked the throwing position. Everyone's eyes were on him.

"Alright, let's see what my limit is!" Kaminari muttered to himself as he focused his energy.

"High-Speed Movement, activate!"

Electricity crackled to life, enveloping Kaminari in golden arcs of lightning. The air around him buzzed with energy, and his cells fired into action as the current surged, especially around his right arm.

The power radiating from him increased steadily, and the current on his arm intensified as he prepared to throw.

With everyone watching closely, Kaminari took a deep breath.

And then…

Chapter 34:Todoroki Shoto vs. Kaminari Denki
*Crack!*

As Kaminari swung his arm with precision, the ball in his grip shot into the air, enveloped in golden arcs of electricity. It streaked across the sky like a glowing meteor, leaving a dazzling trail of light behind. The ball flew higher and farther, pushed by the force of Kaminari's electric-enhanced muscles.

Everyone watched in awe as the ball soared until the electric current fizzled out, and gravity pulled it back down to Earth.

"412.7 meters!" Aizawa announced calmly, holding up the rangefinder for everyone to see. "This is how you figure out your limits."

In his mind, however, Aizawa was analyzing Kaminari's Quirk usage with keen interest. "Stimulating his muscles with electricity to boost physical strength… it's an interesting approach," Aizawa mused silently. "The control he demonstrated, channeling that electricity into his throw, he's definitely trained for this."

Meanwhile, the students erupted into a mixture of gasps and excited chatter, the impressive distance Kaminari achieved sparking their admiration.

"Whoa! No way! Over 400 meters?!"

"This is so awesome! We get to use our Quirks freely!"

"Being in the Hero course is seriously cool!"

Their excited outbursts, however, didn't go unnoticed by Aizawa, who gave them a sharp look.

"Fun, huh?" His voice was low, but it cut through the chatter, catching everyone's attention.

"Huh?" Midoriya and the others blinked, confused.

"If you think this is all just fun and games, you're in for a rude awakening." Aizawa's tone suddenly turned cold. "Do you really think you'll become pro heroes with that mindset?"

The class fell silent, tension rippling through the air as Aizawa continued.

"If that's your attitude, I might as well let you know right now… the student who ranks last in this test will be expelled."

"What?!" The collective shock from the class was immediate. Even Kaminari, Todoroki, and Tokoyami couldn't help but stare in disbelief.

"Is he serious? Expelling someone on the first day?" Kaminari's thoughts raced. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was similar to something a certain masked ninja from his past life would do. "Wait, what if he's not kidding?"

His expression turned serious, and he noticed other students like Todoroki and Yaoyorozu doing the same. Clearly, some of them were realizing the gravity of Aizawa's words.

Aizawa smirked slightly, lifting the long strands of hair that usually obscured his eyes. "Welcome," he said, his tone both mocking and challenging, "to the Hero Course of U.A. High School."

Uraraka Ochaco, who had been silently brimming with excitement for the entrance ceremony, couldn't hold back her frustration. "That's just not fair!" she protested, voicing what many others were likely feeling. "It's only our first day!"

Kaminari shared her sentiment, but something told him there was no point in arguing. He had a gut feeling that if Aizawa said he could expel someone, then it was within the school's rules to allow it.

Around him, other students seemed to realize the same thing. Yaoyorozu, Tokoyami, and Todoroki all remained silent, their expressions serious. They knew this was no time for complaints.

Aizawa's voice cut through again, this time softer but no less intense. "Natural disasters, major accidents, rampaging villains, these kinds of unreasonable situations can happen anywhere, at any time. That's the world we live in now."

He didn't need to raise his voice for the impact of his words to hit home. The weight of his message settled on the group, and the once-enthusiastic atmosphere turned somber.

"And the ones who stand in the way of all these disasters are heroes," Aizawa continued. "If you're hoping to coast through these next three years without pushing your limits, then you're in the wrong place."

The students, now fully silent, felt the immense pressure that came with the title of "Professional Hero." Aizawa's gaze swept across them before he concluded with one final statement.

"The road to becoming a pro hero is paved with suffering, and U.A. will give you plenty of it. You're either moving forward or falling behind. That's the reality." His eyes gleamed slightly as he added, "So remember this—Plus Ultra."

Kaminari wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he could've sworn Aizawa's usually tired demeanor brightened a little when he said those last two words. Whether it was excitement or something else, Kaminari wasn't sure. But what he was sure of was that he had made the right choice by coming to U.A.

There was no doubt everything from now on would be beyond anything he had ever experienced before.

"Let's get started." Aizawa signaled the beginning of the Quirk Apprehension Test. "First up: the 50-meter dash."

---

"Ready… go!"

*Pffft!*

With the sound of the starting signal, Iida Tenya rocketed forward, leaving a cloud of dust behind him. His glasses were off, and his face was set in concentration. His engines roared as he sped toward the finish line, his powerful Quirk propelling him far ahead of Asui Tsuyu, who was leaping along behind him.

"3.04 seconds!" came the result.

"Whoa! His Quirk is insane!" Kaminari couldn't help but be impressed, especially at the sight of the exhaust vents on Iida's legs. It was such a unique and fascinating ability.

Next up were Uraraka Ochaco, Aoyama Yuga, Shoto Todoroki, and Bakugo Katsuki. Kaminari watched each of them closely, observing their Quirks with interest.

From the explosion-fueled speed of Bakugo to the gleaming laser of Aoyama, each student demonstrated abilities that were impressive in their own right. Kaminari mentally noted their quirks, already thinking about how they might compare to his own electric powers.

"Final group: Todoroki Shoto and Kaminari Denki," Aizawa called out.

Kaminari blinked in surprise as his name was called. His competition would be Todoroki? He hadn't interacted with him much yet, but from what he had seen, Todoroki exuded a quiet, confident aura.

Unknown to Kaminari, Aizawa had grouped them together on purpose. He wanted to see how the top scorer from the practical exam would match up against Todoroki, who had been accepted through recommendations. Both had been trained in their Quirks for years, and Aizawa was curious to see whose abilities would shine brighter in a speed test.

As Kaminari and Todoroki lined up at the starting line, neither seemed particularly phased. They exchanged a brief glance but otherwise remained calm. Despite the competitive atmosphere, neither felt especially pressured by the matchup.

But those watching felt differently.

"Kaminari's going to win! Speed is his thing!" Tetsutetsu declared, confident as always, with his hands still in his pockets.

"Yeah, he's super fast," Jiro agreed, recalling the lightning- speed she had experienced firsthand.

But their conversation caught the attention of Yaoyorozu Momo, who overheard them and decided to chime in. "You guys clearly don't know about Todoroki's abilities, do you?"

"Huh?" Tetsutetsu and Jiro both turned to look at her, curious about what she meant.

Yaoyorozu crossed her arms, her gaze drifting toward Todoroki. "Shoto Todoroki is the strongest recommended student this year."

Tetsutetsu frowned, not fully convinced. "So, what's his Quirk?"

"Ice," Yaoyorozu explained simply. "He can create and control ice."

"Ice, huh?" Tetsutetsu mused, rubbing his chin. "It sounds powerful, sure, but how does that make him faster than Kaminari? Kaminari's speed is no joke!"

Yaoyorozu didn't respond directly but instead shrugged, her expression calm. "You'll see soon enough. Todoroki's training with his Quirk is on a whole other level."

As the two boys stood ready at the starting line, Kaminari glanced sideways at Todoroki. There was a quiet intensity in Todoroki's demeanor, but Kaminari wasn't fazed. He was confident in his speed.

"Everyone, get ready!" came Aizawa's voice, giving the two competitors their cue to prepare.

Kaminari focused, the familiar crackle of electricity dancing across his body as he activated his high-speed movement. The golden arcs of lightning began to swirl around him, charging his muscles for a burst of speed.

Next to him, Todoroki's calm gaze didn't waver. A thin layer of frost began to form on the ground beneath his feet, signaling the activation of his ice-based Quirk.

"Ready… go!"

*Ksssh!*

*Crack!*

In an instant, Kaminari and Todoroki launched forward, moving almost in unison. Kaminari's body surged with electricity, propelling him forward in a golden blur, while Todoroki's ice coated the ground in front of him, creating a slick path for him to glide across effortlessly.

Chapter 35: Kaminari Has Infinite Grip Strength?!

"Here we go!"

All the teachers, students, and onlookers fell silent as Kaminari and Todoroki stood ready. Despite not knowing each other well yet, everyone was focused on the outcome of this race, eager to see the results of this thrilling face-off.

The distance was short just fifty meters so if they didn't pay attention, they might miss the critical moment when the winner crossed the line.

"Huh? This is even possible?"

Tetsutetsu, who had been confident that Todoroki's ice-based Quirk wouldn't provide a speed boost, was left in shock as he watched the race unfold.

On the track, Todoroki was creating a path of ice beneath his feet, sliding across the frozen surface with impressive speed and stability. Even on such slick terrain, his balance remained perfect, a clear sign that he had mastered this skill through rigorous training.

Of course, Kaminari wasn't oblivious to what was happening beside him. He was running at full speed, electricity coursing through his body, but the blue blur of Todoroki was right next to him. Kaminari couldn't look directly at him, but the corner of his eye and his senses told him that Todoroki wasn't falling behind at all.

"Shua—"

"Crack!"

In a matter of seconds barely the time for a second breath both Kaminari and Todoroki had crossed the finish line. They finished almost side by side, each pushing their Quirks to the limit in this close race.

Interestingly, while Kaminari's path was clean and clear, Todoroki left a long trail of ice, glittering under the morning sun.

"Who won?!"

The spectators, unable to tell who had reached the line first, immediately turned their attention to the speedometer, eager to know the results.

"3.03 seconds!"

"3.09 seconds!"

The numbers were announced, but they didn't indicate who achieved which time, leaving everyone still uncertain about the outcome.

"Wait, that's… crazy fast!" Mina Ashido exclaimed, her eyes wide in disbelief.

But while most were impressed by the sheer speed, Iida Tenya, who had completed the race earlier, was left feeling a bit conflicted. "Their speed is on par with my third gear…" he muttered to himself.

Though his Quirk had higher speed potential, given enough distance, the fact that Kaminari and Todoroki had developed their Quirks to this level, especially when their abilities weren't naturally tied to speed, left Iida deep in thought.

"Kaminari won?" Ashido Mina shouted again, impatient to know the final answer.

"Who got the 3.03?!" someone else added, voicing the question on everyone's minds.

"Uh…"

Even Aizawa hesitated. Despite being their teacher, he hadn't been able to keep track of the race well enough. He might have powerful Quirks, but they didn't exactly include high-speed perception, and his eyes had dried out after straining to watch the race so intently.

"Kaminari got 3.03," Aizawa finally announced, holding up a small display linked to the speedometer.

"Yes! Kaminari won!"

"Kaminari's Quirk might be electric-based, but who knew he was this fast?"

"That was so cool to watch!"

Tetsutetsu, in particular, was beaming with pride. "Haha! I knew Kaminari would win!" he declared with a wide grin.

"Strongest recommendation student or not, Kaminari is the best first-year student here!" he added, sneaking a glance at Todoroki, who was quietly making his way back to the group.

However, while everyone was celebrating Kaminari's victory, Kaminari himself hadn't returned to the group yet. Instead, he had walked over to the icy trail left behind by Todoroki. He crouched down, placing his hand on the cold surface, and his palm immediately sparked with golden electricity.

"Crackle—"

The currents from his hand danced across the ice, but something strange happened they couldn't spread very far. The electricity dissipated almost immediately after touching the ice.

Kaminari frowned, deep in thought. "No conductivity... Is it because this ice was created by his Quirk?"

The reason wasn't hard to guess. In theory, pure water and ice don't conduct electricity. It's only when impurities are present that they become conductive. The ice Todoroki created was likely close to pure, uncontaminated by any natural elements, which explained why Kaminari's electricity wasn't spreading through it.

"This means Todoroki's ice has to be controlled through physical contact," Kaminari deduced. "He's powerful, but it's not like the freezing abilities of those in the world I know, where they can freeze entire areas just by releasing cold air."

His mind wandered for a moment, comparing Todoroki's abilities to that of a certain ice-based admiral from another world, but before he could get too lost in thought, Aizawa's voice snapped him back to the present.

"What are you doing over there? We're moving on to the second event."

"Uh, yes, sensei!" Kaminari quickly rejoined the group.

The second event was the grip strength test.

Each student was handed an electronic gripper to measure the force they could exert. Kaminari, naturally curious, inspected his device before activating his electric Quirk to briefly stimulate the muscles in his right arm. With his grip fully enhanced, he squeezed the handle hard, waiting for the result.

"???"

"Eh?" Kaminari blinked at the screen, which had displayed nothing but four question marks. He was confused what was this supposed to mean? Did he break it?

As the others around him began calling out their results, Kaminari remained silent, his mind processing what had just happened.

"Whoa, 540 kilograms?! Are you an octopus or something?!" Sero Hanta exclaimed, amazed at one of his classmate's results.

"Octopus…? That's kind of kinky…" Mineta muttered, his thoughts clearly going somewhere inappropriate.

Kaminari, still holding the malfunctioning gripper, looked over at Tetsutetsu, who had just walked over to him. His friend, unaware of what had happened, asked, "Kaminari, what's your grip strength? Mine's 610!"

Before Kaminari could respond, Tetsutetsu glanced at the screen in Kaminari's hand, his eyes widening at the display of question marks.

"Holy crap!" Tetsutetsu shouted, his voice carrying across the group. "Kaminari's grip strength is unknown? Does that mean it's infinite?!"

The entire class fell silent at this, their heads turning in unison to stare at Kaminari.

"..."

Aizawa, who had been watching from the side, raised a hand to his face, looking utterly done with the situation. "The gripper short-circuited," he deadpanned, his usual calm demeanor slightly shaken by the absurdity of the situation.

Kaminari stood there awkwardly, scratching his head. "Well... that's embarrassing..." he muttered, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of it all.
...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 36: Touma or Blackbeard?
The third event was the standing long jump.

Kaminari channeled his electric current into his legs, and with a powerful burst, he jumped 10.8 meters. It was a respectable result, but compared to others, such as Asui Tsuyu who excelled in jumping, Aoyama Yuga who propelled himself with his naval laser, and Uraraka Ochaco who made herself weightless and floated across, Kaminari found himself outshined in this event.

Interestingly, Todoroki Shoto, who had shown impressive control over his ice powers earlier, performed rather ordinarily in this task. He didn't stand out at all, behaving almost like a regular person. Another surprise was Midoriya Izuku.

Midoriya was a complete enigma to Kaminari. Despite watching him closely, Kaminari still couldn't figure out what kind of Quirk the boy had. So far, Midoriya had shown nothing remarkable. "How did he even pass the entrance exam?" Kaminari wondered as he glanced at Midoriya. For some reason, he couldn't shake an odd feeling about the boy. There was something about him that made Kaminari curious, though he couldn't quite place what it was.

Then there was the invisible girl, Toru Hagakure. Kaminari was curious about her too, though not just because of her Quirk. He wondered how she'd look if she were visible. But he dismissed the thought quickly. Once he mastered electromagnetic fields, invisibility wouldn't matter.

The fourth event was the repeated horizontal jump.

Kaminari paid special attention to Minoru Mineta during this event. The boy's grape-like Quirks were intriguing, if not a bit ridiculous. However, Kaminari couldn't help but wonder how strong those "grapes" really were. Could they be destroyed physically? Would his electricity have any effect on them?

Kaminari concluded that Mineta's Quirk would be highly effective in certain situations. If his sticky "grapes" couldn't be destroyed easily, it was actually a pretty strong ability. But Kaminari also noticed a problem. Mineta had to throw the grapes manually or place them on the ground, which meant they had a low hit rate unless there was some strategy behind their use.

Kaminari chuckled inwardly. Mineta's Quirk required tactical brilliance to maximize its potential, but judging by the boy's constant perverted remarks, it was hard to tell if he had the intelligence to back it up.

The fifth event was the pitching test.

When Kaminari saw Uraraka Ochaco throw the ball infinitely far thanks to her zero-gravity Quirk, he immediately thought, "This girl's going to be the next Golden Lion!"

He wondered if Uraraka could eventually manipulate objects she made weightless, much like how the Golden Lion Shiki could control floating rocks. What if she could lift entire chunks of the earth and throw them like weapons? The thought excited him, though he knew she probably wasn't there yet. It was merely speculation about the future potential of her Quirk.

As Kaminari's turn had already passed, the next person called up was Bakugo Katsuki. Aizawa's voice cut through the air, "Bakugo Katsuki, you're next."

"Finally!" Bakugo growled, stepping up with barely contained excitement. He had been stewing with frustration ever since Kaminari and Todoroki had taken the spotlight. He was determined to prove he was the best.

Bakugo's self-esteem bordered on arrogance, and watching others receive more attention than him drove him crazy. He couldn't stand it. Why were those two getting all the praise? Didn't everyone know he was the strongest?

"Boom—!"

With an earth-shattering explosion, Bakugo launched the ball into the air, his palms propelling it with a fiery blast. The ball shot through the sky like a missile, trailing fire and smoke behind it.

"Die!!" Bakugo shouted, as if trying to blow up the very heavens.

Watching this, Kaminari leaned over to Tetsutetsu and muttered with a grin, "Well, when it comes to roughness, even you can't beat him."

"Tch," Tetsutetsu clicked his tongue in annoyance. He had already formed a strong dislike for Bakugo. After witnessing Bakugo's brash attitude and rude behavior especially toward Midoriya—Tetsutetsu concluded that Bakugo was little more than a thug. A bully.

He saw Bakugo's constant explosions as a reflection of his unstable personality. Tetsutetsu couldn't stand people like that. He respected discipline and honor, traits Bakugo seemed to lack entirely.

"705.2 meters," Aizawa announced after glancing at the rangefinder. His voice remained calm despite the impressive result. "That's your current limit. Remember it, and work to surpass it."

"Whoa!!"

"Over 700 meters?! That's insane!"

The other students were astonished by Bakugo's performance. Kaminari had thrown the ball over 400 meters earlier, which had already seemed incredible. But Bakugo had just shattered that by nearly 300 meters.

"Well, I guess his explosive power is a lot better than mine," Kaminari thought to himself, feeling no shame in the comparison. He had been working on controlling his Quirk and improving his physical abilities for years. For Bakugo to reach such heights at his age was impressive, but Kaminari didn't feel the need to compete with a fifteen-year-old over something so trivial.

However, Bakugo seemed to feel differently. As he walked back, he shot Kaminari a defiant glare, as if daring him to challenge his dominance. Kaminari responded with a calm look, making it clear he wasn't fazed. Instead, he turned his attention to the next person.

"And finally... Izuku Midoriya," Aizawa announced, his voice softer this time, as if he knew what was about to unfold.

Ida and Uraraka, both of whom had seen Midoriya in action during the entrance exam, looked hopeful. But others, including Kaminari, Tetsutetsu, and the rest of the class, were simply curious. Midoriya hadn't shown anything extraordinary so far, so how had he passed the Hero Course exam?

Bakugo, however, was filled with disdain. He still believed Midoriya was Quirkless and had no place here. "He's just a Quirkless loser!" Bakugo spat out, confident that Midoriya would fail.

"What did you say?!" Iida, startled by Bakugo's claim, turned to him in confusion. "Quirkless? How could he be Quirkless after what he did in the entrance exam?"

"What feat?" Kaminari perked up, his curiosity growing. He had heard nothing about any major accomplishment by Midoriya during the exam. How had someone who seemed so... ordinary made it this far?

Midoriya, gripping the ball nervously, threw it... but nothing remarkable happened.

"46 meters," Aizawa said, almost in disbelief. The result was underwhelming, to say the least.

"46 meters?!" Kaminari couldn't believe his eyes. How had Midoriya passed the entrance exam with such a weak performance? Had he somehow cheated? Or did he get in through some kind of backdoor?

Just then, Aizawa stepped forward, pulling down the white bandage around his neck. "I erased your Quirk," he said, his voice low and stern.

Kaminari's eyes widened. "Erased his Quirk?!" The implications of Aizawa's words hit Kaminari like a ton of bricks.

The ability to eliminate someone's Quirk entirely? Kaminari immediately thought of Touma Kamijou, a figure from another world with the power to nullify supernatural abilities. But Aizawa was clearly even more powerful than Touma. He could neutralize Quirks from a distance, without needing to make physical contact.

"Is this guy even human?!"

Kaminari's mind raced, but outwardly, he remained composed, merely showing a hint of surprise. After all, someone aiming to be a superstar needed to maintain their cool, right?

Chapter 37: A Blockbuster
"Eliminating Quirks…"

Midoriya murmured to himself. As his eyes flicked to the yellow goggles hanging around Aizawa's neck, a sudden realization dawned on him. He remembered something from his endless research on professional heroes.

Staring at Class Teacher Aizawa in shock, he shouted, "Those goggles... I know who you are! You can erase other people's Quirks by looking at them! You're the Erasure Hero, Eraser Head!"

The moment Midoriya revealed Aizawa's true identity, murmurs rippled through the group. The students began to talk excitedly about their teacher, but Kaminari wasn't part of the chatter. Instead, he absorbed the information Midoriya had just shared, his mind racing.

"A Quirk that erases other Quirks just by looking at someone? That's way more powerful than Kamijou Touma or even Blackbeard. They both need to physically touch their targets, but Aizawa can do it from a distance!"

Kaminari's thoughts continued to swirl. "But there must be a limit. No Quirk is truly flawless. If I ever have to face Aizawa, I need to figure out how to deal with his ability."

His curiosity deepened as he observed Aizawa. The teacher's control over his bandages was also fascinating. "What's the deal with that? Is it another Quirk, or just some insane technique? Or maybe there's some kind of telekinesis involved?"

The more Kaminari analyzed Aizawa, the more intrigued he became. There was so much to learn, and he knew mastering these lessons would be key to his future success.

At that moment, Aizawa suddenly lashed out with his bandages, wrapping them tightly around Midoriya as if to make a point. Whatever he said, it had a visible effect on Midoriya, whose face turned pale. But, instead of crumbling, Midoriya's expression grew determined, his resolve hardening.

"He's not giving up." Kaminari watched closely as Midoriya returned to the pitching circle. Something had shifted. The boy's eyes were lit with a fierce intensity that hadn't been there before.

Midoriya prepared to throw again, and Kaminari's heartbeat quickened. He had a strange feeling about what was coming next. Something inside Midoriya had ignited, and Kaminari couldn't tear his eyes away.

Then he saw it.

Midoriya's finger began to glow, the light intensifying with each passing second.

"No way… His finger is glowing!"

Suddenly, Midoriya roared, "Smashhhhhhhh!"

With that cry, the white ball in his hand blasted forward, tearing through the air with a deafening boom, leaving a trail of white airwaves in its wake. The sheer power of the throw seemed to break the sound barrier.

"Boom!"

The air pressure from the throw caused an explosive sound that sent shockwaves across the field. Kaminari and the others shielded their ears from the noise, but that wasn't all. The ground itself rippled from the force, sand and dust kicking up in wild spirals around Midoriya.

Kaminari could only stare in disbelief. "What just happened?!" He looked up at the ball, now a distant dot in the sky. "That power... It might even rival my railgun. No, the range alone puts it way ahead!"

He wasn't the only one floored by the display. All eyes were on Midoriya now, including Bakugo's. The explosion-loving boy was speechless, his usual sneer replaced by wide-eyed shock. This entire time, he had believed Midoriya was Quirkless. Now, that belief was crumbling before his eyes.

For the first time in a long while, Kaminari felt like he was a background character, watching someone else take center stage. He glanced at Midoriya with a complicated mix of emotions, the gears in his head turning.

"705.3 meters!" Aizawa announced after checking the rangefinder, but before anyone could react, Midoriya called out.

"Sensei!" Midoriya's voice cracked with emotion. His entire body was trembling, but his expression remained resolute.

"I... I can still move!"

Those words echoed in the silent field, carrying a weight far heavier than anyone expected. Midoriya's tone, filled with pain and determination, struck something deep within Aizawa and, unbeknownst to the students, All Might, who was secretly observing from a distance.

Kaminari, still trying to process everything, analyzed what he had just seen. "So, his Quirk releases an explosive burst of power in a single moment?"

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "If that's the case, I can handle it. As long as I avoid that one powerful hit, he shouldn't be much of a threat."

It was an instinctive reaction one that Kaminari couldn't help. Ever since he became fascinated with manga and Quirks, he had made a habit of analyzing different abilities and figuring out how he would deal with them in combat. It had become a game for him—a game he found endlessly fascinating.

The rest of the test went by quickly. Midoriya, having pushed his Quirk to its limit, didn't do anything noteworthy after that. It was as if his earlier display had drained him of all his power. Kaminari's suspicions were confirmed Midoriya's Quirk was probably an explosive, one-use ability, or perhaps it required time to charge up.

As the test concluded, Kaminari felt a sense of accomplishment. He had gained valuable insight into the abilities of his classmates, and more importantly, he now knew his own limitations. Quirks like Shoto Todoroki's, Ice abilities and Yaoyorozu Momo's creation power intrigued him the most.

"Man, everyone here is so impressive," Kaminari thought with a grin. But the smile didn't last long before he reminded himself, "My Quirk isn't bad either. In any world whether it's here or the Marvel Universe, lightning abilities are always top-tier."

With the test over, Aizawa stood in front of them. "The assessment is finished. You'll be given a lesson plan. Study it carefully. I don't want any of you being late or missing a class."

He turned on his heel, clearly intending to leave, but paused. "And remember... no matter how good you think you are, there's always room for improvement."

The students glanced at each other, then slowly began walking back to class in pairs or small groups.

"I wonder what the next class will be," Tetsutetsu mused, hands shoved into his pockets. He was excited about the prospect of using his Quirk again in the future. He also shot a glance at Midoriya, who was limping toward the infirmary. "That kid is seriously weird. He has a crazy strong Quirk, but he acts all weak and scared around that Bakugo guy."

His voice wasn't particularly loud, but it carried in the quiet space, enough for Bakugo to hear. Surprisingly, Bakugo, who had been fuming just moments earlier, didn't react. Instead, he stared at Midoriya's back, his expression dark and unreadable.

"You lied to me, Deku," Bakugo muttered under his breath, his hands sparking ominously.

Kaminari glanced at Bakugo, then leaned closer to Tetsutetsu. "Maybe he's not scared of him at all. Maybe he's just worried about accidentally hurting someone else with his power. It's a reasonable assumption, don't you think?"

He wasn't trying to provoke Bakugo, just voicing his thoughts out loud. Kaminari was someone who always spoke his mind, even if it ruffled a few feathers. He didn't believe in holding back when it came to voicing his opinions, especially when they made sense.

But the moment those words left his mouth, Bakugo froze in place. The air around him crackled as tiny explosions popped from his palms.

"What did you just say?!" Bakugo's voice was low, his gaze snapping toward Kaminari. His fiery temper was flaring once more.

Chapter 38: Conflict and Invitation

Bakugo had always seen Midoriya as a weakling, a little tagalong who envied him from the sidelines. That was the natural order, especially after discovering that Midoriya was Quirkless. Bakugo's superiority complex deepened, and he believed that Midoriya's only role in life was to look up to him.

But today had shattered that illusion.

Midoriya, the same kid Bakugo had mocked for being Quirkless, had been accepted into U.A. alongside him. And worse, Midoriya had thrown a ball with enough power to rival his own. That one throw was like a slap in the face, as if reality itself was mocking Bakugo's arrogance.

His anger was palpable Midoriya had deceived him for years. Bakugo felt humiliated, as though all those times he'd lorded his strength over Midoriya had been part of some elaborate joke. What if Midoriya had been pretending all along? What if all the times Bakugo had belittled him, Midoriya had just been holding back, afraid of hurting him?

And then, to make it worse, Kaminari had said it out loud: "Midoriya wasn't afraid of you, he was afraid of hurting you."

Those words were like gasoline poured on a raging fire. Bakugo's vision blurred with fury, his mind filled with violent thoughts. His hands trembled as his palms began to secrete the explosive sweat he was known for.

"What did you just say?" Bakugo's voice was low, strained with rage.

Kaminari turned, meeting Bakugo's intense glare without a hint of fear. "You heard me," he said coolly, showing no intention of backing down.

Bakugo's bloodshot eyes narrowed. To him, Kaminari's calm response was infuriating, like he wasn't worth the effort. Bakugo had never encountered someone who talked to him like this, not since he was a kid. His fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"You're dead," Bakugo growled. Unable to hold himself back any longer, he swung a punch at Kaminari's face.

"Kaminari!" Jiro shouted in alarm, seeing the punch coming.

But before Bakugo's fist could land, a loud *thud* echoed across the hallway. Tetsutetsu had stepped in, catching Bakugo's punch in mid-air with his own iron-hard hand. His face was a mask of controlled fury as he stared down Bakugo.

"Enough of that, Bakugo," Tetsutetsu said, his voice steady but filled with tension. His grip on Bakugo's fist tightened, and Bakugo, for the first time, felt real resistance. Without using his Quirk, Bakugo wasn't strong enough to overpower Tetsutetsu's steel-like grip.

Bakugo's eyes flickered with frustration. "You're not giving in to me, huh?" His voice was laced with venom as he tried to pull his hand back, but Tetsutetsu wasn't letting go. If anything, his grip only tightened further.

Tetsutetsu stared into Bakugo's eyes with a coldness that matched the steel of his Quirk. "Not everyone is going to roll over for you, Bakugo. Some of us don't care who you are or what you can do."

Bakugo's hand began to heat up, his sweat turning volatile. Small explosions popped in his palm, signaling his growing anger. "Let go before I make you," Bakugo spat.

Before things could escalate further, Iida appeared, rushing over to the scene. He grabbed both Bakugo and Tetsutetsu by the shoulders, his stern voice cutting through the tension. "Stop this at once! We're all classmates now. Fighting won't solve anything."

Despite Iida's intervention, Bakugo and Tetsutetsu stayed locked in their standoff for a moment longer, their muscles tense, before finally relenting. Tetsutetsu released Bakugo's hand, and the explosive boy took a step back, seething.

"Tetsutetsu, let's go." Kaminari gave a slight nod to Tetsutetsu, then motioned for him and Jiro to follow. They walked away, leaving Bakugo to glare at their retreating figures, his fists still clenched tightly at his sides.

"I'll make them pay for this," Bakugo seethed inwardly, his mind racing with thoughts of revenge. He had never been so humiliated in his life, and the feeling gnawed at him, pushing him closer to the edge.

Back in the classroom, Kaminari paid no further attention to Bakugo. He sat down and glanced at the schedule on his desk, skimming through the list of upcoming classes. He noticed that while other subjects had only six classes, the Hero Course had seven—four in the morning and three in the afternoon, with a break for lunch. Saturdays were especially rough for Hero students, with classes extending until the sixth period, unlike other departments that got out after the fourth.

"Hero training really is no joke," Kaminari thought with a sigh. He was particularly looking forward to the science classes, hoping he could dive deeper into electromagnetism, which would help him develop his Quirk further.

But after his first science class, Kaminari felt a pang of disappointment. The material covered was too basic, nothing close to what he had hoped to learn about electromagnetism. After class, he approached the science teacher, a bulky Hero with a robotic arm known as "Engineering Robot."

"Sensei," Kaminari started, "When will we start learning about electromagnetism in depth?"

"Electromagnetism?" Engineering Robot scratched his head awkwardly. "That's usually covered in more detail starting in your second year."

Kaminari frowned. "Second year? But I really want to start learning now."

The teacher smiled apologetically. "I'd love to help, but I don't have time for tutoring right now. Between teaching and maintaining the school's infrastructure, I've got my hands full."

"Ah, I understand. Thank you anyway," Kaminari replied, trying not to let his disappointment show. As the teacher left the room, he sighed and turned to go back to his desk. But just as he was about to sit down, he heard a voice behind him.

"You're interested in learning about electromagnetism?" Yaoyorozu Momo's voice was gentle, but her tone carried a hint of curiosity.

Kaminari turned, surprised. "Do you know anything about it?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

Momo smiled confidently. "Yes, I've studied it quite a bit. While my specialty is in molecular structures and chemistry, I've also delved into electrostatics, magnetic fields, and the basics of changing electromagnetic fields."

She spoke effortlessly, rattling off terms that went over the heads of most of their classmates. Kaminari, however, was impressed. "You really know your stuff, huh?"

Momo shrugged modestly. "I try to keep myself well-rounded. I'd be happy to teach you what I know."

Kaminari hesitated, surprised by her offer. "You'd... really do that?"

"Of course!" Momo's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "I love helping others learn. Why don't you come over to my house after school today? We can go over some electromagnetics for a couple of hours. I'm sure you'll pick it up quickly."

Kaminari grinned. "Sounds good to me."

He didn't notice the slight frown that crossed Jiro's face as she watched the exchange. Her eyes flicked from Momo to Kaminari, a thoughtful expression settling over her features. She said nothing, though, simply turning her attention back to the class schedule in front of her.

Chapter 39: Their Own Thoughts
At 4:10 PM, Class A was dismissed, marking the official end of Kaminari and his classmates' first day at U.A. High School. However, for some, school ending didn't mean the day was over, Kaminari and others still had plenty to do.

Kaminari made a quick call home to explain why he'd be coming back later than usual. Afterward, he waved goodbye to Tetsutetsu and Jiro, who seemed a little out of sorts, at the gates of the 'Hero Protective Wall.'

"Alright, lead the way," Kaminari said, turning to Yaoyorozu Momo, who was practically buzzing with excitement.

She was thrilled this was her first opportunity to officially teach someone. For as long as she could remember, Yaoyorozu had been learning on her own, accumulating knowledge far beyond that of her peers. But today, she wasn't just studying; she was going to impart what she knew. The idea of being a mentor filled her with enthusiasm.

"Lead the way?" Momo repeated, momentarily puzzled by Kaminari's words, before understanding dawned. She pointed to a sleek black limousine rolling toward them and smiled. "Our ride is here!"

"Uh... okay," Kaminari said with a casual shrug. It was just a limo, no big deal. Though, in the back of his mind, he couldn't help but compare it to the car at his own home, which, while nice, was nowhere near this level of luxury.

Forty minutes later, they arrived at a sprawling mansion in Aichi Prefecture. Kaminari stepped out of the car and took in his surroundings, a bit speechless.

"Seriously? Is this for real?" he muttered under his breath as he stared at the enormous mansion before him. Although he'd figured that Yaoyorozu Momo came from a wealthy family, this was on another level entirely.

To be fair, anyone would be floored by such grandeur. After all, mansions like this only existed in movies and TV dramas, at least for most people.

"Come on, let's go inside," Momo called, breaking his daze. "I've asked the butler to prepare everything."

Kaminari took a deep breath and told himself to stay calm. "I'm just here to learn about electromagnetism," he reminded himself. "Focus on that."

Even so, he made a mental note to research the Yaoyorozu family later. He couldn't believe that a family this wealthy didn't have some kind of public profile.

While Kaminari was in the mansion, sitting in an overly spacious hall, sipping top-quality black tea, and absorbing Momo's explanations about electromagnetism, his friend Tetsutetsu was pouring his energy into another endeavor training at the judo hall.

*Boom!*

For the umpteenth time, Tetsutetsu hit the wooden floor with a heavy thud. This time, the fall left him more dazed than usual. He lay there for a moment, staring up at the glaring lights on the ceiling, his chest heaving.

Not far away stood Goro Daimon, his judo instructor a massive man, well over two meters tall, clad in a white judo uniform. He looked down at Tetsutetsu with calm eyes and asked, "Are you giving up already?"

"No... not yet," Tetsutetsu grumbled, pushing himself up with a groan. He looked at his teacher with frustration. "But when are you actually going to teach me some judo?! All I do is get thrown around!"

Ever since he started training here, all he'd done was get tossed across the mat. It didn't matter if he was facing fellow students or Daimon himself, Tetsutetsu's role was always the same. Where were the throws, the moves, the techniques he was supposed to be learning?

"You can't learn to throw until you understand why you're being thrown," Daimon said, his tone still calm but with an edge of sternness. "Do you feel the movements of the person throwing you? Do you think about how to minimize the impact when you hit the ground? Have you thought about countering their movements?"

Tetsutetsu lowered his head, embarrassed. He hadn't considered any of that.

"Up until now, you've just been reacting without thinking," Daimon continued. "Do you think fighting is just about learning a set of moves like it's some video game? Do you believe that memorizing a few techniques is all you need to win a fight?"

Tetsutetsu's silence deepened.

"Good fighting is about constant thinking. You need to feel your opponent's movements and analyze your own in response. That's what you should be focusing on right now," Daimon said, crossing his arms. "Once you understand the fundamentals of being thrown, then we can move on to the next stage. Mastery of throwing someone is a lifelong journey."

The words ignited something inside Tetsutetsu. His frustration melted away, replaced by determination. His eyes gleamed with renewed energy.

"Got it, Sensei! Let's go again!" Tetsutetsu shouted, charging forward once more, but this time, his eyes were sharper, more focused. He was watching Daimon's every movement, trying to predict the next throw.

In his heart, Tetsutetsu roared: "Kaminari wants to be the strongest lightning-type Hero? Then I'll be the strongest hard-core Hero!"

Though he and Kaminari hadn't known each other for long, Tetsutetsu could already feel how impressive Kaminari was. The sense of urgency to improve weighed on him. He couldn't let the gap between them grow too large he wouldn't allow it.

If a powerful villain appeared in the future, he wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with Kaminari, ready to fight. He didn't want to be the one standing in the background, helpless.

To him, that wasn't a true partnership. He had to become stronger.

"Here I come!" Tetsutetsu roared inwardly, and the sound of bodies hitting the mat filled the dojo once again, but this time, there was a sense of struggle Tetsutetsu was beginning to resist.

Back in Shizuoka Prefecture, Jiro Kyoka walked home in silence, her black schoolbag slung over her shoulder. Unlike her usual routine, she hadn't put on her headphones to block out the noise of the world. Instead, she seemed lost in thought.

Her phone buzzed inside her bag, playing "Only My Railgun" as her ringtone. She unzipped her bag and pulled out the phone, answering the call without checking the screen.

"Hey, Kazama," she said quietly, recognizing the caller's voice instantly.

"How's it going at U.A.?" came the gentle voice of a young man on the other end.

Jiro paused, glancing around at the street she was walking down. It was quiet, peaceful, but something about today had left her feeling unsettled.

"...It's fine," she replied, her voice more guarded than usual.

"Just fine?" Kazama's tone was soft but knowing. He could tell when something was off. "You don't sound like yourself, Kyoka."

Jiro hesitated, her thumb tracing the edge of her phone case absentmindedly. She didn't feel like explaining everything, but at the same time, keeping it to herself was making her feel even more out of sorts. She sighed quietly, deciding to brush off her unease with a half-truth.

Chapter 40 Creation, Expectation, Tomorrow

"Yeah, just a lot to take in, that's all. New school, new people. You know how it is."

The memory of Yaoyorozu Momo inviting Kaminari over to her place flashed through Jiro's mind again, making her feel a bit irritated.

"Yeah..."

The sound of the wind over the phone did little to mask Jiro's mood, and it didn't go unnoticed by the boy on the other end.

His normally soft gaze hardened with concern. Was Jiro being bullied at U.A.? He clenched his jaw at the thought, frustrated at his own failure to get into the hero course. If only he had spent more time on his studies.

But instead of confronting Jiro directly, he switched the topic with a casual tone, trying to lift her spirits by talking about things she liked. "By the way, have you met that Kaminari Denki?"

"Kaminari... what about him?" Jiro's brow furrowed. She suddenly had the urge to end the call.

"Hey, did you already forget?" The boy let out a small laugh. "Weren't you the one who said you wanted to start a band with Kaminari? I've been waiting to hear how that's going."

He was fully behind the idea, not only because he admired Kaminari's music, but also because it would be a way for him to stay close to Jiro, even if they were in different schools. It seemed like a win-win to him.

"A band..."

For some reason, that word sparked a faint light in Jiro's eyes, a fire that had been nearly extinguished by the day's events.

"If I start a band with Kaminari, does that mean we'd be spending a lot of time together?"

She wasn't sure why she felt this way. She couldn't even explain to herself why she felt the need to be around Kaminari so much lately, only that she didn't like the idea of him being alone with Yaoyorozu Momo.

"I'll talk to Kaminari about it tomorrow!"

"Great, don't forget this time! And maybe introduce me to him when you get the chance," the blue-haired boy teased, trying to lighten the mood.

"Don't worry, I won't forget!" Jiro said with newfound resolve, then quickly ended the call. Her finger hovered over Kaminari's contact number on her phone.

Although she said she would talk to him about it tomorrow, she was tempted to call him right now. But then again... he was probably still studying with Yaoyorozu Momo at the moment.

She didn't want to disturb him, especially since he seemed so invested in learning about electromagnetism. Glancing at the time, she finally sighed and locked her phone.

"I'll just tell him in person tomorrow."

---

"7 p.m."

Kaminari had gained a lot from Momo's help and was now on the Shinkansen back to Saitama. Meanwhile, Momo herself was staring at a small whiteboard filled with complex electromagnetic equations, feeling quite pleased with today's progress.

"Just a bit more, and he'll be caught up," she murmured to herself with a satisfied smile.

However, remembering the speed at which Kaminari absorbed the material, she couldn't help but feel a little troubled.

"It looks like I need to start preparing more advanced material, or else I'll run out of things to teach him soon."

With this thought in mind, she put down the crystal glass in her hand and turned to the elderly butler standing behind her. "Please move all the books on electromagnetism to the study."

"Yes, Miss," the butler replied with a courteous bow.

---

On the train, Kaminari leaned against the window, quietly contemplating Yaoyorozu Momo's Quirk. He found himself enjoying this quiet time alone, lost in thought. After all, Momo had put so much effort into helping him; the least he could do was think about ways to reciprocate.

While he might not be as knowledgeable as Momo when it came to academics, he had his own insights, especially when it came to the development of Quirks. He was confident he could offer some helpful advice.

"Her Quirk is called 'Creation.' It allows her to create any inanimate object, as long as she understands its structure. It's an impressive ability, but it's not without its limits."

From what he knew, 'Creation' had its fair share of restrictions, just like every other Quirk in this world. The first major limitation was her own "energy reserve" in her case, body fat. The more complex or larger the object she wanted to create, the more fat she had to burn.

If she used her Quirk recklessly, it could take a toll on her body. After all, a human body with no fat reserves would face serious health risks.

The second limitation was her understanding of the objects she wanted to create. The more detailed her knowledge of an item's structure, the easier and smoother the creation process would be.

While the first issue could be resolved with a more caloric diet, the second required innate intelligence and an aptitude for learning. Not everyone had the talent to memorize complex schematics and molecular structures. Kaminari realized that if this Quirk belonged to an average person, they'd probably only manage to create simple items like tissues their entire life.

In short, Momo's Quirk was as high-end as her family's wealth—top-tier, but not without challenges.

"But why does it feel like her Quirk doesn't fully live up to the name 'Creation'?" Kaminari pondered, before suddenly realizing what was bothering him.

"If it only allows her to reproduce objects that already exist, shouldn't it be called 'Manufacturing' instead? She's not really creating something new she's just making known items based on pre-existing data."

True creation involved innovation, bringing something new into existence. If he asked Momo to create something fantastical like a 'Golden Saint Cloth,' would she be able to do it?

The answer was clearly no... at least not right now.

However, another possibility dawned on him. What if Momo's Quirk really was 'Creation,' but her current limitations were due to her age and inexperience? Perhaps, as she grew stronger, she might unlock its full potential.

"If that's the case, the key to her Quirk might not just be understanding the molecular structure of objects, but also gaining a deeper understanding of the world itself."

Whether or not this theory was correct, Kaminari had decided to maintain a close relationship with Momo. Was that opportunistic of him? Maybe, but he was an adult at heart far beyond the naive age where friendships had to be free from any ulterior motives.

Besides, he didn't have any bad intentions. He genuinely valued her potential and had elevated her position in his mind because of it.

After all, everyone had different levels of intimacy with their friends, and absolute equality was an illusion. That's just human nature.

"I need to share this theory with Momo soon... maybe tomorrow," Kaminari thought as he watched the nightscape blur past the train window.

The more he immersed himself in this world, especially since getting involved with U.A., the more he found himself genuinely excited by everything he encountered.

Living a life where there was always something to look forward to who wouldn't want that?

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 41: Tetsutetsu’s Future

Early the next morning, Kaminari met Tetsutetsu at the entrance of the subway station as planned, and the two headed off to U.A. High School in Shizuoka Prefecture together. This time, no one was driving them.

"Hey, what's up with you?" Kaminari asked as soon as he sat down, frowning at Tetsutetsu, who was sitting across from him. "Did you get into a fight after school yesterday?"

It was hard not to make that assumption based on Tetsutetsu's current appearance. Not only did he have a band-aid on his nose, but there was another one peeking out from the cuff of his sleeve.

"Uh… well, haha, it's nothing serious!" Tetsutetsu scratched the back of his head, glancing sheepishly out the window. "I wasn't fighting anyone. It's just that my training with Mr. Daimon was a bit intense yesterday. I wasn't paying attention during one of the throws, and I ended up landing on my face…"

He inwardly sighed, thinking to himself how embarrassing it was to be distracted during practice, trying to analyze Mr. Daimon's moves while being tossed around like a rag doll.

Trying to steer the conversation away from himself, he quickly asked, "Forget about me, what happened to your glove? You used to always wear it."

Kaminari shrugged, sensing that Tetsutetsu didn't want to delve into the details. Everyone had secrets they preferred to keep, after all.

"I sent it to I-Island for some upgrades," he said casually. "I wanted to add a few more features."

"Like what, the ability to play music?" Tetsutetsu asked, half-jokingly. He hadn't forgotten the scene during the practical exam when Kaminari used the glove to blast an electromagnetic cannon while a rock soundtrack played in the background. That was a moment not easily forgotten especially for the person being launched through the air.

"Yeah, among other things," Kaminari replied, nodding without any hesitation. It was clear that he didn't think there was anything odd about having a built-in BGM function. Or perhaps he knew it was unconventional but just didn't care.

"Speaking of which…" Kaminari suddenly closed the book on electromagnetism he'd been reading and leaned forward. "I've been thinking about your Quirk, and I might have some ideas that could help you out."

"Really? Tell me!" Tetsutetsu perked up immediately, looking at Kaminari with hopeful eyes. At this point, he basically considered Kaminari his unofficial Quirk advisor.

"Well… before I get into that, do you know who Kirishima Eijiro is in our class?" Kaminari asked.

Tetsutetsu's expression soured at the mention of the name. "Of course, I know him. His Quirk overlaps with mine, and it looks like he's aiming to be the hardest Hero around."

Clenching his fists, he declared, "Hmph, I'll show him! There's going to be a massive gap between us—an unscalable mountain. And that mountain is me, the future 'Colossus!'"

Kaminari sighed. The sudden burst of enthusiasm seemed a bit over-the-top. "I'm sure you'll get stronger, no doubt. But if we're being honest, when it comes to sheer hardness, I think Kirishima's Quirk might have the edge over your steel."

"What?! That's impossible!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed, clearly shaken. He had always believed that his Quirk was top-tier in terms of toughness. Of course, after meeting Kaminari, he had been forced to reconsider his position somewhat, but still, this was a hard pill to swallow.

"Calm down and hear me out," Kaminari said, patting Tetsutetsu on the arm. The outburst had drawn a few glances from the surrounding passengers, so it was best not to cause a scene.

"Hmph," Tetsutetsu grunted, sitting back down with a defiant look, as if daring Kaminari to prove his point.

"Alright," Kaminari began, suppressing a smile. "Here's the thing. Kirishima's Quirk is called 'Hardening.' He can harden his skin either globally or locally. While that might sound similar to your 'Steel,' I'm not talking about the similarities but rather the potential upper limits. Your Quirk's limit is defined—steel has a fixed hardness. But for Kirishima, it seems like there isn't an obvious cap on how hard he can get."

"Of course, I'm not saying that his hardening is 'limitless,' but I'm guessing that his upper threshold is higher than yours. If that's the case, the gap might not be noticeable now, but as you both continue to grow, you might find it becoming more apparent."

Tetsutetsu was silent, trying to process Kaminari's words. Although much of what Kaminari was saying was speculation, it wasn't entirely unfounded. He couldn't deny the logic behind it, even if he didn't want to accept it.

"If… if what you're saying is true, then what can I do about it?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Kaminari grinned. "I have an idea, though I can't guarantee it'll work." He didn't see guessing as a bad thing—in fact, many scientific breakthroughs started with a hypothesis. And considering they were only fifteen, they had the luxury of trial and error. Even if they failed, the experience would be invaluable.

Tetsutetsu's gaze stayed fixed on Kaminari, waiting for his friend to continue.

"Your first step is to focus on 'shaping,'" Kaminari said.

"Shaping?" Tetsutetsu repeated, puzzled.

"Yeah," Kaminari explained. "Look at your hands when you use your Quirk." He pointed at Tetsutetsu's iron-covered fingers. "Notice how they're slightly sharper now? And the way your hair hardens—it becomes like metal spikes."

Tetsutetsu looked at his hands, then touched his stiff, metallic hair. "You're right… they do look sharper."

"So," Kaminari continued, "I'm wondering if your Quirk has hidden passive abilities related to shaping and sharpness. If your fingers and hair can take on sharper forms, why not other parts of your body? With the right training, you might be able to consciously shape different parts of your body, turning a passive effect into an active ability."

Tetsutetsu's eyes widened. If that were true, it would open up a whole new world of possibilities for his Quirk. "You mean, I could turn my entire arm or leg into a blade?" he asked, excitement creeping into his voice.

"Exactly!" Kaminari nodded. "Start by focusing on the changes you feel in your fingers when you activate your Quirk. Compare that sensation to other parts of your body. Once you can identify the difference, try to apply that feeling elsewhere."

Kaminari knew that in this world, Quirks were closely linked to the body's natural functions. Just as athletes could learn to control individual muscle groups, it made sense that someone could learn to manipulate the unique aspects of their Quirk with enough practice.

"If Tetsutetsu actually manages to pull this off, we might need to come up with a new hero name for him… Blade Man? Iron Slicer?" Kaminari thought, grinning at the prospect.

His old habit of brainstorming hero names had returned.

Chapter 42 Pikachu Band!

"Kaminari!"

As Kaminari and the preoccupied Tetsutetsu walked into Class 1-A, Yaoyorozu Momo, who had just arrived and hung her expensive schoolbag on the hook beside her desk, called out to them.

"Good morning, Yaoyorozu-san!" Kaminari greeted her with a smile, waving as he walked to his seat. After greeting a few other classmates, he pulled a sealed file folder from his Pikachu-themed backpack, a product made by his family's company.

"What's this?" Yaoyorozu, who looked as polished as always, accepted the folder from Kaminari, her expression curious.

"It's some suggestions and theories I put together for the development of your Quirk," Kaminari explained. "I thought it might be helpful. Take a look when you have time."

"Ah? Oh! Thank you, thank you!" Yaoyorozu's face lit up with surprise and gratitude. The folder felt substantial in her hands, and it was clear there was a lot of content inside. She immediately understood that Kaminari had put a lot of thought and effort into this.

As the eldest daughter of the Yaoyorozu family, one of Japan's wealthiest and most influential families Momo had always been surrounded by support. Even before she was born, a team of Quirk researchers had been preparing for her potential Quirk development. Once she awakened her Quirk, "Creation," the experts in her family developed a detailed training plan for her, based on a thorough analysis of her abilities.

Her extensive knowledge wasn't just due to her own hard work; the resources and guidance provided by her family played a significant role. In fact, it was the analysis team's recognition of "Creation's" potential that had led her to pursue a path in the Hero Course. Otherwise, as a member of such a prestigious family, a career in business management would have been a more traditional choice.

Because of this background, the analysis and suggestions Kaminari prepared might not hold much technical value compared to the advice from professional researchers. But that didn't lessen the importance she placed on this folder. It was the first genuine, thoughtful gift she had received at U.A., and the sentiment behind it meant a lot to her.

"This is a token of appreciation for helping me," Yaoyorozu thought to herself, clutching the file tightly. "I need to keep it safe."

Kaminari noticed how carefully she took the folder and felt a sense of satisfaction. He knew full well that the Yaoyorozu family had their own experts, and his analysis might not be groundbreaking for her. But he had still spent two hours compiling it.

Was it a waste of time? Maybe. Was it pointless? He didn't think so.

Many people hesitate to give gifts they've made themselves, worrying if they are practical or valuable enough. Kaminari believed that a gift's value wasn't just about its utility or price; it was about the thought behind it. Even if his suggestions weren't particularly useful, he was confident that Yaoyorozu would appreciate the gesture.

Besides, as a time traveler, who's to say his insights didn't hold some worth?

After four regular classes, Kaminari noticed something odd. Jiro, who usually came up to chat during breaks, seemed hesitant and kept stopping herself from saying something. This continued until lunch.

---

"Wow, this Mapo tofu is amazing!" Kaminari exclaimed as he savored a bite of the spicy, flavorful dish in U.A.'s bustling cafeteria. "

He had underestimated U.A.'s culinary offerings. As a top-tier school, they certainly didn't cut corners, and the prices were astonishingly affordable. "Only 1,000 yen for a plate of spicy tofu? That's practically a steal!" he thought, comparing it to the cost of dining at a Chinese restaurant outside.

"Kaminari-kun, do you really like spicy food that much?" Yaoyorozu asked, surprised as she watched him devour the fiery red tofu. She couldn't imagine eating something that spicy.

Even Tetsutetsu and Jiro, who were familiar with Kaminari's tastes, looked on with curious expressions. Spicy food wasn't exactly common fare for most Japanese people.

"Yeah, I love it," Kaminari admitted with a grin, scooping another bite onto his spoon. "But it's pretty pricey outside, so I only get to enjoy it once in a while."

Seeing how much he enjoyed it, they decided not to comment further. After all, personal tastes varied, and it wasn't worth making a big deal out of.

"Um… Kaminari," Jiro finally spoke up, setting her water glass down nervously. "I… I wanted to talk to you about something."

Kaminari raised an eyebrow, sensing that this was the reason behind her odd behavior all morning. "I thought something was off with you today. You're not acting like the usual cool Kyoka I know. Alright, go ahead. What's on your mind?"

Jiro hesitated again but then took a deep breath. "Well, you know how I mentioned before that I really like your music…"

"Yeah?" Kaminari nodded, still unsure of where this was going.

"Hey, don't interrupt!" Jiro snapped, her voice rising slightly in frustration.

"Pfft—" Kaminari burst out laughing, catching Jiro off guard. She glared at him, annoyed. "What's so funny?"

"I'm just glad to see the Kyoka I know is back," he said, his smile not fading.

Jiro felt her tension ease at Kaminari's teasing tone, and her expression softened. For some reason, seeing his relaxed smile made her feel a bit more confident. "I can play rock, too, you know. I'm pretty good with the bass, guitar, and even the keyboard. So… I was wondering if… you'd be interested in jamming together sometime?"

She blurted out her words in one breath, her voice louder than usual, drawing the attention of some other students nearby.

"Sure!" Kaminari agreed immediately, not missing a beat. "Actually, why don't we form a band?"

"Wait, what?!" Jiro stared at him in disbelief. She hadn't expected him to be so enthusiastic or to take the conversation in this direction. It wasn't what she'd pictured in her head.

Nearby, a few of their classmates, including Yaoyorozu, Tetsutetsu, Midoriya, and Todoroki, couldn't help but listen in with curiosity.

"Yeah!" Kaminari continued, his eyes bright with excitement. "I even thought of a band name. How about we call ourselves the 'Pikachu Band'? And I've already got an idea for our first single!"

Chapter 43: The Way of The Raikage
The decision to form the 'Pikachu' band was made so casually during lunch that Jiro only began to process her emotions after returning to the classroom.

"Wait... I'm already in a band with Kaminari?!"

Oh, right, and the band's name... Pikachu?

In her mind, an image popped up of a bright yellow electric mouse, shredding on an electric guitar and jamming out to "Only My Railgun."

"Pfft—"

Jiro couldn't help but laugh out loud, smiling to herself. "That's a pretty cute name, actually."

At that moment, the sound of steady footsteps echoed from outside the door. Before the door even opened, a familiar voice boomed into the room.

"Wa-ta-shi-ga-kitaa!!"

The moment that voice reached the classroom, Midoriya was the first to react. While most people were only somewhat familiar with the voice, Midoriya had no doubt. He knew that voice by heart.

*BANG—*

"Come in through the door normally!!"

The door swung open violently, and in the next moment, the towering figure of All Might stepped into Class A.

"Ohhh—"

"Whoa!!"

"It's All Might!!"

"I can't believe it! He really is a teacher here at U.A.!"

Excitement rippled through the class. Most of the students couldn't contain their enthusiasm at seeing Japan's strongest Hero. Even usually composed students like Shoto Todoroki and Yaoyorozu Momo looked impressed.

After all, this man wasn't just any Hero—he was the "Symbol of Peace", recognized as the greatest Hero of the modern era. Everyone had grown up hearing stories about him or seeing him on TV. For most students, this was a surreal moment.

There might be kids in Japan who didn't know the Prime Minister's name, but there wasn't a single person who didn't know who All Might was.

"Finally, I get to meet All Might in person."

Kaminari wasn't as starstruck as some of the others, but he still acknowledged All Might's presence with due respect. There was no denying the awe-inspiring aura surrounding the man. Kaminari had watched enough videos to know that All Might's power was on a completely different level compared to other Pro Heroes.

Even Endeavor, Japan's second-ranked Hero, didn't quite measure up to All Might in terms of raw strength and impact in battle.

One particular video stuck in Kaminari's mind, a short clip that only lasted about thirty seconds. It showed All Might fighting a villain with a cloning Quirk.

With just one punch—

The sheer air pressure from a simple straight punch sent nearly twenty clones and the ground beneath them flying hundreds of meters into the air.

And in the final moments of the video, Kaminari could faintly see layers of clouds being dispersed by the force of All Might's punch, which he later confirmed after multiple viewings.

Kaminari still remembered how that day he couldn't help but blurt out the words, "One Punch Man." His father, not understanding the reference, even praised him for the apt description.

In his mind, All Might was akin to a living, breathing nuclear bomb in human form. As he stood at the podium, Kaminari couldn't help but acknowledge the sheer destructive potential this man held.

All Might struck a pose similar to that of a bodybuilder and, with a voice that had inspired hope in countless people, announced:

"Without further ado, today's lesson is…"

"Combat training!!"

The one who reacted most excitedly was, unsurprisingly, Bakugo, who had been itching for a fight. His mind instantly conjured up scenarios of facing off against Midoriya, Kaminari, and Tetsutetsu, imagining glorious victories in each battle.

Needless to say, in his mind, he was never the one getting beaten.

"And with that comes this!"

"Look here!"

All Might gestured toward the wall, where four rows of large cabinets slid open, revealing rows of boxes marked with green numbers.

"These are your battle uniforms, customized based on the 'Quirk Reports' and 'Requirement Ideas' you submitted before enrollment!"

"Whoa!!"

Kirishima, Tetsutetsu, and others couldn't hide their excitement. They hadn't expected to be putting on their own Hero costumes so soon!

At that moment, All Might's gaze fell on Kaminari, who had been quietly observing him. Their eyes met, and for a brief second, Kaminari was caught off guard.

All Might smiled warmly, thinking Kaminari might be one of his fans, similar to Midoriya.

"Young Kaminari, your battle suit was temporarily transferred to a different support company, so the newest version hasn't been completed yet. For today, you'll be using the one crafted by your previous support team."

"Got it."

Kaminari nodded, then walked over to retrieve his gear. Once he returned to his seat, he didn't immediately open the package like the others. Instead, he glanced at his right hand and thought to himself, "If the electric gloves are still part of the set, then it's good enough."

He shook his head slightly, resigning himself to the temporary gear. He then turned his attention to the white and gold battle suit laid out on the desk. Compared to some of his classmates' armored or high-tech suits, his outfit was rather simple.

It consisted of a white robe with gold accents, paired with a small, headphone-like device that seemed to function as a wireless communicator, assuming the support company had followed his original design.

"Whoa—"

Kaminari pulled off his school uniform jacket and slipped into the robe with casual ease. His dramatic movements caused the long back hem of the robe to float in the air briefly, revealing the characters emblazoned on it.

"The First Raikage..... Kaminari, what does that mean?" Tetsutetsu, sitting behind him, asked curiously. His question caught the attention of Yaoyorozu Momo, Jiro, and several others who were nearby.

They exchanged confused glances none of them seemed to understand the reference, even Yaoyorozu, who prided herself on her vast knowledge. She knew what "First Generation" meant, but what about 'Raikage'?

"It's a title I've given myself."

Kaminari finished adjusting the communicator in his ear, then turned around with a confident smile. He explained, "The will of thunder follows like a shadow, always present. That's the meaning of 'Thunder Shadow.'"

He paused for a moment, his smile deepening. "And as for 'First Generation,' it represents my ambition. I plan to be the founder of a new legacy, a new way of the thunder quirk."

Chapter 44: Smash and Railgun
"Nice dream!"

All Might gave a thumbs up and laughed. "Young Kaminari, remember your words today. They will surely guide you through your future growth!"

"Yes," Kaminari nodded, acknowledging the praise.

"Raikage, huh?" Bakugo muttered to himself, thinking about the title. Finally, he scoffed and grumbled, "What a weird name." But the thought triggered something inside him. He began contemplating his future Hero name, "it had to be more impressive than Kaminari's!"

"How about... 'Explosion King'? Yeah, that sounds badass!"

At that moment, All Might signaled for everyone to get ready. Once the students had taken turns changing into their Hero costumes, they were instructed to meet in the school's 'simulated community' the "Beta Playground" for training. All Might left first to prepare the venue.

Fifteen minutes later, all twenty members of Class 1-A, now donned in their custom Hero outfits, stepped out of the dark corridor, emerging like heroes from a comic book panel. Every one of them exuded an aura of confidence and anticipation.

"Should I be playing 'Hero' right now?" Kaminari mused to himself, imagining a dramatic soundtrack to match their entrance. If only he had brought some music equipment with him, he might have actually done it.

"Not bad! Everyone looks sharp!" All Might's booming voice rang out as he observed the students, a sense of pride welling up in his chest. These young men and women, he thought, were the future pillars of the Hero world.

"Good!" All Might clapped his hands. "Then let's get started, fertilized eggs!"

"..."

Kaminari felt a vein pop in his forehead as he mentally cursed, "Did All Might just call us... fertilized eggs? Is this a normal thing for him to say?"

He glanced around and realized no one else seemed phased by the comment. "Maybe it's not an insult after all... I'll have to look this up later," he concluded.

All Might, however, had already begun explaining the details of today's lesson.

"Although most of what you see in the news are outdoor villain battles, statistically speaking, there's a much higher probability of dealing with villains indoors. Imprisonment, house arrests, underground trades... These all occur indoors, away from the public eye."

He paused for a moment, coughing slightly before continuing.

"Ahem. Anyway, the most cunning villains hide in the shadows. Today's exercise will be a two-on-two indoor battle scenario. You'll be split into two groups: Villains and Heroes. The villains will hide a 'nuclear weapon' somewhere in their stronghold, and it's the Heroes' job to locate and secure it within the time limit. The villains, of course, must protect it or capture the Heroes to win."

All Might paused again, giving the students time to process the rules before continuing. "The location of the nuclear weapon is up to the villain team, so make sure to consider your Quirks when deciding where to place it."

Kaminari nodded to himself. "Simple enough. Use Quirks to either defend or attack in a confined space. Got it."

The next part of the exercise involved randomly drawing names to determine the teams, which All Might had prepared in advance. He pulled names from two separate boxes, announcing the pairings.

Group A: Midoriya Izuku and Uraraka Ochaco
Group B: Shoto Todoroki and Shoji Mezo
Group C: Yaoyorozu Momo and Minoru Mineta
Group D: Bakugo Katsuki and Iida Tenya
Group E: Ashido Mina and Aoyama Yuga
Group F: Sero Hanta and Koda Koji
Group G: Kaminari Denki and Jiro Kyoka
Group H: Tokoyami Fumikage and Asui Tsuyu
Group I: Ojiro Mashirao and Toru Hagakure
Group J: Kirishima Eijiro and Tetsutetsu Tetsu

Kaminari glanced at his partner, Jiro Kyoka, and then over at Tetsutetsu, who had been paired with Kirishima. A smile tugged at his lips. "Those two hard-headed guys together? That's going to be something."

The students quickly gathered with their assigned partners, some of them shouting words of encouragement, others whispering quietly to discuss strategy. However, students like Bakugo and Todoroki remained silent, both exuding confidence that seemed to make them oblivious to their partners.

"Now, for the first match!" All Might announced with his characteristic grin, pulling out two number balls from the black and white boxes.

"Group A will be the Heroes!" He pointed toward Midoriya and Uraraka. "Group D will be the villains!" He gestured to Bakugo and Iida.

"The rest of you, head to the control room to observe!"

As Kaminari followed the rest of the class to the dimly lit control room, his gaze lingered on Midoriya. "This should be interesting. Let's see what your Quirks are really about."

"Kaminari," Jiro's voice interrupted his thoughts as she leaned in close to whisper, "You seem really interested in Midoriya."

"Hmm?" Kaminari blinked, momentarily distracted by her proximity before nodding. "Yeah, I am. Don't you think his Quirks are fascinating? He acts like he's got nothing special going on, but when he uses his power, it's like he's an entirely different person. I'm curious to see what he'll do in this exercise."

The screens in front of them flickered to life, displaying different angles of the simulation area. Kaminari watched intently as Midoriya and Bakugo squared off. Midoriya's early moves were impressive, showing quick thinking and an almost preternatural ability to predict Bakugo's actions.

"Midoriya's clever," Kaminari thought, feeling a sense of appreciation for the boy's tactical skills. "But how much of that comes from knowing Bakugo's moves ahead of time?"

Suddenly, one of the screens was engulfed in fire, the sheer power of Bakugo's explosion overwhelming the camera feed. Kaminari and the others could only stare, feeling the heat of the blast even through the monitor.

"Woah! He went all out!" Kirishima exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief. "It's just training, man. Was that really necessary?"

"Yeah, what was he thinking? He could've seriously hurt Midoriya in such a confined space," Tetsutetsu muttered, his expression darkening. His opinion of Bakugo had already been low, but this just pushed it lower. "Reckless idiot."

"Hold on," Kaminari pointed at the screen, where Midoriya had reappeared, seemingly unharmed. "Midoriya's fine. Look, he's about to make his move."

And just as Kaminari predicted, Midoriya shone once again. This time, however, it wasn't just his fingers that were glowing—his entire right arm was charged with power.

"Smaaashhhhhh!"

The soundless shockwave from Midoriya's punch was displayed on the monitors, the sheer force obliterating the ceiling and much of the surrounding area. The building shook as if a bomb had gone off.

"...What the hell did I just watch?" Kaminari muttered, his mind struggling to comprehend the level of power Midoriya had just unleashed. It was similar to the destructive force of his own railgun—perhaps even stronger in terms of raw impact.

The room fell silent as they processed what had just happened. Jiro, who had been quietly watching beside Kaminari, suddenly spoke up.

"That... that's about the same as when you used your move with Tetsutetsu, right?"

Her words snapped the rest of the class out of their shock, drawing their attention to Kaminari. All Might, standing nearby, also seemed to recall that golden flash from Kaminari's practical exam.

Indeed, as Kaminari processed the comparison, All Might's gaze shifted toward him. "Kaminari's railgun back then was just as powerful as Midoriya's Smash. But while Midoriya can only unleash such force with One For All and suffer intense backlash... Kaminari managed that without any visible drawbacks."

Chapter 45: The Second Battle Between Group B And Group G
Kaminari saw the look in All Might's eyes and could already guess what was running through his mind. Laughing, he joked, "For those who are curious, maybe once Midoriya recovers from his injuries, we can have him try out my Railgun. Let's see whose moves pack more punch!"

Though Kaminari was half-joking, a small part of him was genuinely curious. However, he also knew All Might would never agree to something so dangerous.

Sure enough...

"Good joke!" All Might smiled but quickly became serious, casting a glance at Midoriya on the screen. "But that's way too dangerous. First of all, I won't allow it under any circumstances, and I hope none of you even consider trying it in private!"

His tone darkened. "From my experience, if your powers were to clash head-on, the resulting shockwave would likely be fatal. Even if you were lucky enough to survive, serious injury would be inevitable!"

"So... Kaminari, promise me you won't entertain that thought again."

Kaminari shrugged, feeling slightly disappointed but understanding the weight of All Might's warning. "Alright, I was just messing around. I won't."

Hearing this, All Might finally relaxed. He had been genuinely worried that these young and reckless students might try to settle their curiosity by challenging each other to see who was stronger.

Ordinary teenagers could have a scuffle and get away with a few bruises. But if Kaminari and Midoriya, both capable of incredibly destructive power, fought recklessly, the consequences would be catastrophic.

At that moment, Midoriya had already been transferred to the school's infirmary for recovery. Meanwhile, Bakugo, Iida, and Uraraka returned to the monitoring room, awaiting All Might's final evaluation.

The outcome of the battle was clear: Midoriya's Group A won the training exercise. However, from a real-world perspective, the situation told a different story.

Neither Bakugo nor Iida had suffered injuries or been captured, whereas both Midoriya and Uraraka were incapacitated one severely injured, the other barely conscious. In an actual combat scenario, their defeat would have been certain.

That's why Tokoyami had whispered to himself, "Win the battle, lose the war."

"The best performer this time was Iida," All Might declared in his usual booming voice.

Kaminari silently agreed with this assessment. Midoriya and Bakugo had approached the exercise like it was just a school test, but they had overlooked a critical aspect: the essence of the Hero course was to train them to be professional Heroes. To truly succeed, they needed to approach every exercise with the mindset of a professional Hero, not just students.

Kaminari had grasped this idea during the entrance exam and used it to guide his actions, opting to tackle the "zero-point" robot despite knowing he might fail. He had focused on the bigger picture.

Once Yaoyorozu finished her detailed analysis of the match, All Might prepared for the next round.

"Alright! Let's move to a new location and get ready for the second battle!"

After relocating to another control room in a different building, All Might reminded everyone, "Be sure to reflect on Yaoyorozu's excellent feedback. Think carefully about it before you dive into this next match."

With that, he reached into the black and white boxes once again to determine the teams.

"In the second battle, the Heroes team will be... Group B! The villains will be... Group G!"

As the results were announced, the students exchanged glances, each trying to remember who was in which group. Then Kaminari Denki, Jiro Kyoka, Shoto Todoroki, and Shoji Mezo stepped forward and walked out in silence.

"It's Kaminari versus Todoroki!" Sero exclaimed, his eyes wide with excitement.

"Haha, this is going to be intense!" Mina Ashido practically bounced with enthusiasm.

Bakugo, however, remained silent. Of all the students in Class 1-A, he was the most eager to see how Kaminari and Todoroki's powers measured up. Were they really so much stronger than him? He couldn't accept that. He wouldn't.

"There's no way I'm gonna settle for third place," Bakugo thought, his fists clenching as he watched Kaminari and Todoroki leave. "I'm the best. I'm the one who's going to win."

"I didn't expect those two to be paired up..." All Might muttered to himself, his expression serious. Then, turning to the rest of the class, he said, "You all stay here. I'm going outside to keep an eye on things."

Without much explanation, he left quickly, preparing to intervene if anything went wrong.

"Whoa! Their match even has All Might nervous!" Kirishima said, scratching the back of his head and grinning.

"I'm looking forward to it too," Yaoyorozu added, her gaze following Kaminari on the screen.

"Tch, Kaminari will win for sure!" Tetsutetsu declared with absolute confidence in his friend.

For once, no one argued with him. Kaminari's earlier performance had earned him the respect of the class, and many believed he had the strength to stand toe-to-toe with Shoto Todoroki, the top recommended student. But which one was stronger? That was the real question.

Meanwhile, on the fourth floor of the building where the battle would take place, Kaminari and Jiro were preparing.

"Jiro," Kaminari said, glancing at her. "Your Quirk lets you amplify your heartbeat and use it as a sound-based attack, right?"

Jiro nodded, pointing to her special combat boots. "Yeah, I can emit mid-range sound waves through these speakers. It's powerful enough to cause some serious damage."

"Good. You'll stay here and guard the corridor. If Shoji shows up, try to hold him off until time runs out."

Jiro frowned. "What about Todoroki? His ice powers are—"

"I'll handle Todoroki. He won't make it to this floor." Kaminari clicked the communicator on his ear and began walking toward the exit.

"Where are you going? Are you seriously planning to take them both on by yourself?!" Jiro asked, her voice laced with worry.

Kaminari smirked, not stopping as he headed down the stairs. "Todoroki's Quirk is ice. If we stay in a confined space, we're done for. I'm going to drag him outside."

Jiro blinked in confusion. "Fight him... outside?"

Even All Might, listening through his earpiece, raised an eyebrow. "This boy... is he really planning to fight Todoroki head-on?"

On the other side of the building, Shoto Todoroki and Shoji Mezo had already begun their approach.

"There's someone in a room on the north side of the fourth floor," Shoji reported, his four additional ears relaying the information. "The other one... they're moving fast, coming straight toward us."

Todoroki nodded and stepped forward. "Go outside. It's going to get dangerous in here."

Before Shoji could respond, a bright golden light flashed from the dark hallway. The light intensified rapidly, accompanied by the crackling sound of electricity.

"He's here!" Shoji shouted.

Todoroki's expression remained calm, but his movements were swift. He pressed his hand against the wall and activated his ice Quirk.

In an instant, the corridor was filled with thick, glistening icicles that shot forward, rapidly expanding and freezing everything in their path.

"Your strategy isn't bad," Todoroki thought as he focused on the approaching light. "But there's a gap between us you won't be able to close."

*Sizzle!*

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 46: Shoto and Kakashi’s Choice
"What is that?!"

Shoji, standing behind Todoroki, suddenly felt a sharp pain in his copied ears, his vision blinded by an intense golden light. For a brief moment, he couldn't see anything at all.

*Crack!!*

The light, faster than sound, illuminated the room before the harsh, electric buzz reached his ears. But that wasn't what concerned Shoji. He had been hit by electricity.

"Ah!!"

Shoji's scream lasted only a moment, the golden light and sound vanishing almost as quickly as they had appeared. When the light dimmed and the sound faded, Todoroki glanced around. His ice wall, cracked but still standing, had protected him but something was missing.

"He's gone!"

Todoroki frowned as he scanned the area, realizing that Shoji had disappeared.

To be honest, he didn't fully understand what had just happened. After unleashing his ice attack, all he had heard was the rapid crackling of electricity, followed by the blinding flash of golden light. His instincts had kicked in just in time, allowing him to freeze the area around him, forming a protective wall of ice.

But now, Shoji was nowhere to be seen.

From outside, Kaminari's voice echoed, though his tone carried a mischievous edge. "Hey! Hero, how about saying goodbye to your partner?"

All Might, who was watching from a nearby rooftop, stared at Kaminari in mild disbelief. "What's with these kids today? First Iida, and now Kaminari... why are they so eager to play 'villain'?"

In the control room, the other students exchanged glances. Yaoyorozu, suppressing a smile, suddenly chuckled. "He's... rather charming when he's like this."

Ashido Mina nodded enthusiastically. "He's like the evil prince from a movie!"

"Well, he's still a little behind me in style, but... yes, I see it," Aoyama Yuga added with a dramatic flick of his shining cape.

On the screen, Todoroki silently emerged from the building, locking eyes with Kaminari, who stood waiting outside. Poor Shoji was slumped against a nearby telephone pole, completely paralyzed, watching helplessly.

"I became a prisoner... within a minute..." Shoji sighed to himself, feeling a mixture of frustration and disbelief.

"How did you break through my ice?" Todoroki asked coldly, his voice betraying a hint of confusion.

"You want to know?" Kaminari shrugged, a sly grin spreading across his face. "I did it with a 100-yen coin."

He flicked a small metal coin into the air. It caught the sunlight, flashing brightly before he caught it again with a smooth, practiced motion.

"Stop joking around," Todoroki muttered, frowning deeply. He didn't believe Kaminari's explanation for a second.

"A joke? Maybe," Kaminari said nonchalantly. Then, cutting off whatever Todoroki was about to say, he gestured toward Shoji. "You should be more worried about your partner, don't you think?"

Todoroki glanced at Shoji before calmly replying, "Rest there for now. I'll get you out soon."

As he spoke, Todoroki's right side began to emanate cold air. It was clear he was preparing for a serious fight. But Kaminari wasn't done playing yet. He raised his hand and pointed back at the building behind him.

"But hero, the nuclear bomb inside is about to go off. Ready to abandon your partner?"

Todoroki's expression froze.

All Might, the only one who could hear their conversation from his rooftop vantage point, was stunned by Kaminari's words. "This boy... he's far too convincing as a 'villain.'"

Kaminari's voice took on a taunting edge as he continued to press Todoroki, adding a cruel psychological pressure to the young hero's already heavy burden.

"We don't have much time left. Make your choice, hero!" Kaminari's grin widened. "It's simple, really. Give up your partner and stop the bomb... or fight me and watch the bomb explode, taking the whole city with it."

"If I were you, I'd forget about the partner. You're a hero, right? The mission comes first. That's what professional Heroes do, isn't it?"

Todoroki's face darkened. He knew this was just an exercise, a training scenario. But the point of the exercise was to act like real, professional Heroes. That meant making decisions as a pro Hero would in a real-world situation.

And Kaminari's words were tearing at him.

"The mission... or the partner?"

This wasn't just about the training anymore. It felt personal. Kaminari's words echoed the difficult choices Todoroki would face in his future as a hero.

"The mission or the partner."

This was the same question Kakashi, from another, harsher world, had faced long ago. Back then, Kakashi had chosen the mission over the lives of his comrades. Now, Kaminari watched with interest, wondering what Todoroki's answer would be.

All Might, still observing from his rooftop, felt a chill down his spine. "Young Kaminari... just how did you come up with something like this? Playing with someone's heart to this extent... it's terrifying."

He decided then and there that, after this session ended, he would have to speak with Principal Nezu. Kaminari's potential needed to be watched closely, this boy had the cunningness of a villain, and if he ever strayed too far into the darkness...

The timer continued to tick down, but Todoroki remained silent, lost in thought. His inner turmoil was evident to everyone watching the screens back in the control room, though they couldn't hear the conversation.

In Todoroki's mind, two voices argued back and forth.

"The bomb is the bigger threat. If it explodes, it won't matter if I save Shoji. Everyone will die."

"But if I give up on my partner now, what will I do the next time? And the time after that? Will I give up again? Faster each time?"

"If I choose the mission over and over again, will I still be myself?"

"Will I become... like him?"

Todoroki's thoughts drifted to his father, Endeavor. His father's cold, relentless pursuit of strength, his emotionless gaze... it all weighed on Todoroki's mind, suffocating him.

"No. I'm not like him. I'm not the same."

"I'm not the same!!"

Suddenly, Todoroki raised his head, and Kaminari could see a fierce determination burning in his eyes. Ice began to rapidly form at Todoroki's feet, surging forward to attack.

"You've chosen your partner, huh..." Kaminari smirked, impressed. "Good choice. But..."

"BEEP— Time's up! Villains win!"

Kaminari grinned as he glanced at the timer. "You hesitated too long, Todoroki."

Chapter 47: Kaminari’s Choice

*Crack!*

Kaminari calmly stared at the two-meter-high icicle in front of him, only half a meter away. As the simulation came to an end, the mischievous grin on his face faded, replaced by his usual relaxed smile.

"Man, this is pretty cool…"

He could feel the cold air washing over him as he looked up at the sun. "Compared to this, it really beats my Quirks. Built-in air conditioning, natural and eco-friendly," Kaminari thought with amusement.

Meanwhile, on the fourth floor, Jiro was still standing guard, wondering why the time was up. Confused, she muttered, "What happened?"

Back in the monitoring room, where Yaoyorozu, Bakugo, and the others had been closely following the match, everyone shared similar expressions of confusion.

"What's going on?" Ojiro flicked his tail, breaking the silence.

"Um... why hasn't anything happened yet?" Kirishima scratched his head, puzzled by the lack of action.

"Todoroki didn't do anything? Why?" Asui wondered aloud, tapping her lips thoughtfully.

"Tch!" Bakugo clicked his tongue in annoyance, clearly unimpressed. "Boring."

"Well, as long as Kaminari won, it doesn't matter," Tetsutetsu grinned, completely unconcerned about the details. For him, the outcome was all that mattered.

"…I don't get it…" Yaoyorozu, who was usually confident in her ability to understand everything, shook her head in bewilderment, deciding to wait for Kaminari's explanation later.

Down below the building, Kaminari stood in silence, waiting for Jiro to come down. All Might, standing between Kaminari and Todoroki, occasionally glanced at Kaminari with a mixture of curiosity and concern.

After a long pause, All Might finally broke the silence, looking at Kaminari with a thoughtful expression. "If it were you, what would you choose?"

"Me…?"

Kaminari didn't feel pressured. With a casual smile, he answered, "I wouldn't hesitate. Remember, only kids worry about making choices."

"Huh?" All Might blinked, caught off guard by the response.

"What do you mean?" Todoroki, his voice still cold, asked, a slight trace of curiosity in his tone.

"I mean," Kaminari explained, walking up to the large icicle in front of him and gently touching it, his tone calm and steady, "I'd charge straight at the villain, try to rescue my partner, and then deal with the nuclear bomb afterward."

"But if you do that, there's a good chance the bomb would go off, destroying the whole city because of your choice," Todoroki responded with a frown.

"Yeah, but it's not a guarantee, right?"

Kaminari continued, his voice growing even calmer. "Sure, maybe the bomb goes off. Or maybe I save my partner and still have time to stop the bomb. It's all about possibilities."

All Might watched the conversation between the two young heroes, silently contemplating Kaminari's words. Oddly enough, his own conclusions aligned with Kaminari's, though he had expected otherwise.

"But what if you fail?" Todoroki started to protest, but Kaminari cut him off.

"Yeah, and what if I don't? What if things go wrong, and the bomb explodes?" Kaminari shrugged, his tone nonchalant. "If it happens, it happens. People need to learn that just because you try your hardest doesn't mean you're guaranteed a good result."

Kaminari's voice became more resolute. "But being able to face the consequences of your choice, without regret, that's something people should learn. At least that way, you won't die full of regret."

Todoroki fell silent, clearly affected by Kaminari's words. He wasn't sure if Kaminari's philosophy was right, but it struck a chord. It was definitely better than the hesitation that had paralyzed him earlier.

That's when All Might interjected. "But Kaminari, how would you explain that to the citizens who lose everything because of your 'no regrets' choice?"

"Huh? What would I need to explain?" Kaminari asked casually as he spotted Jiro approaching from the corridor. With a smile, he walked past All Might. "If I'm dead, just like them, and I tried my best… that's explanation enough, don't you think?"

All Might's eyes widened, surprised by the casualness of Kaminari's answer. Kaminari continued walking toward Jiro, then paused and glanced back at the Number One Hero.

"There might be some perfect, ideal choice out there that works for everyone," Kaminari said, smiling softly. "But there aren't many of those in life, are there?"

Then, as he resumed walking toward Jiro, he left All Might and Todoroki with one final thought.

"Of course, if it were you, All Might, I'm sure you'd be able to find that perfect choice."

His voice trailed off as he walked away. "After all, different results come from different abilities."

Todoroki stood there, still processing Kaminari's words. "Try your best… so that you have no regrets…"

Meanwhile, All Might, filled with both admiration and concern, watched Kaminari leave. He looked at the golden letters on Kaminari's back that read "The First Raikage" fluttering in the breeze and thought to himself, *This kid… he's going to be someone important in the future.*

At the same time, however, his worry deepened. Kaminari's mindset, though confident, walked a fine line. If he strayed too far, he could easily veer into a path too dangerous for any hero.

"Kaminari!!"

Jiro's voice brought him back to the present. She ran up to Kaminari, her expression filled with confusion.

"What happened out there?"

"What do you mean?" Kaminari responded, grinning coolly. "I handled everything, that's what."

Jiro raised an eyebrow, sensing he was hiding something. "Handled? What does that mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like," Kaminari chuckled, brushing it off. He didn't want to burden her with the heavier details of his encounter with Todoroki. She didn't need to worry about all that.

But wasn't Todoroki also just fifteen, like her?

Kaminari shrugged internally. "Todoroki's an elite, a genius, he can handle it. I believe in him."

Soon, All Might returned and announced the start of the third match. With a broad smile, he called out, "In the third match, the Heroes team is Group J, and the Villains team is Group C!"

The next pair of students stepped forward, Kirishima and Tetsutetsu from Group J, along with Yaoyorozu and Mineta from Group C.

Everyone gathered to watch the new battle unfold, while Todoroki and Shoji, still weighed down by the previous match, remained quiet and distant.

As the screens flickered to life, showing the upcoming match, Kaminari couldn't help but watch closely. This time, it was Tetsutetsu and Kirishima charging headfirst into battle, two hard-hitting boys with little regard for strategy, just pure brute force.

"They didn't even think this through, did they?" Kaminari chuckled, watching the pair search each room systematically.

But on the villain's side, Yaoyorozu was preparing something. Using her Quirks, she had placed the "nuclear bomb" in the most strategic spot, then began crafting something else.

"What is she making?" Kaminari squinted at the screen, watching as Yaoyorozu used her Quirks to create a large magnet and… a set of spray paint cans?

Suddenly, Kaminari's heart sank. "Oh no… I have a bad feeling about this."

Chapter 48: Minoru Mineta’s Hand Speed

"Huff…"

Kirishima took a deep breath, staring at the number "8" on the wall, and muttered, slightly out of breath, "You think they're on the top floor? There are only three floors left."

"Yeah, judging from how things are set up, it has to be the top," Tetsutetsu replied confidently, straightening up.

Kirishima sighed, realizing how obvious it was. He approached the stairwell, looking upwards. "Alright, so what's the plan?"

"Plan?"

Tetsutetsu scoffed. "With our Quirks, what other plan do we need?"

Kirishima scratched his red, spiky hair, chuckling at his own pointless question. "Right, I guess there's only one way to go about this."

"Exactly, let's go! No matter what Yaoyorozu and Mineta have in store for us, we can only handle it head-on."

With that, Tetsutetsu activated his Quirk, covering his body in a layer of hardened iron, and slowly started walking up the stairs. Kirishima followed close behind, though he kept his Quirk inactive for now. His hardening ability, while strong, made it difficult for him to move freely, and it couldn't last for long.

Meanwhile, on the upper floor, Momo leaned against the wall, listening closely to the approaching footsteps echoing from the stairwell below.

She didn't make any unnecessary movements or try to lure them further. That would've been too obvious and might've tipped them off. Despite Tetsutetsu and Kirishima being straightforward in their approach, even they would sense if something felt too much like a trap.

So instead, Momo waited quietly, setting her trap carefully.

"They're coming…"

She could hear the heavy footsteps now, slow and cautious. Clearly, Tetsutetsu and Kirishima were on high alert.

"Doesn't matter how cautious they are," Momo thought with a sly smile. "They'll have to pass through this corridor anyway."

But her smirk faded quickly as she glanced to the side. Minoru Mineta, her partner, was once again staring up at her from an unfortunate angle, his eyes glued to her legs and the hem of her skirt.

"Uh… heh heh…" Mineta scratched the purple grapes on his head nervously when he realized he'd been caught. Despite his embarrassment, his eyes couldn't help but drift to her chest again.

"Wow, being teamed up with Yaoyorozu is a dream come true!" Mineta howled in his mind, practically drooling.

Momo sighed. Dealing with Mineta's antics was exhausting. Still, she refocused her attention on the task at hand, just as Kirishima's voice echoed through the corridor.

"Why is it so dark in here?" Kirishima hesitated, his eyes adjusting to the dim hallway.

Tetsutetsu noticed something was off too. He glanced back at the previous corridor they had passed through and then at the darkened hallway ahead. There was a clear difference in the lighting.

"They're definitely in the hall up ahead!" Tetsutetsu declared.

"Yeah, no kidding," Kirishima muttered. "The real problem is, this hallway is a hundred percent a trap, and we have to go through it."

Tetsutetsu pursed his lips. "And with our Quirks, there's no way around it, huh? We'll just have to go straight in."

"Man, why did we end up on the same team…" Kirishima groaned in frustration but accepted the situation. He activated his hardening Quirk, his body turning into solid stone-like armor, though he left a few joints flexible to maintain some mobility.

"Alright, let's do this!"

Both Tetsutetsu and Kirishima kept their eyes locked on the door at the far end of the corridor, wary of Mineta popping out and throwing his sticky "grapes" at them. They paid less attention to their feet, confident the path ahead was clear.

*Crack.*

"Huh?"

"What was that sound?"

They glanced at each other before looking down simultaneously. Kirishima's face fell. Something sticky and black clung to his foot.

"He dyed the 'purple grapes' black?!" Kirishima realized, noticing the cleverly camouflaged traps. The floor and walls had been coated in a way that made the traps almost impossible to spot.

"Take off your shoes—"

Tetsutetsu had a rare stroke of genius and was about to share his plan when Momo's voice echoed from the hall ahead.

"Tetsutetsu, look here!!"

"Huh?" Tetsutetsu instinctively turned toward her voice, only to see Momo and Mineta together, holding a massive magnet, pointed right at him.

"AHHH!!"

Before Tetsutetsu could react, the magnet's powerful force pulled him forward, slamming him into it with a heavy clang.

*BOOM!*

The impact rang out through the corridor, the sound of metal hitting metal resonating like thunder.

"It's now!!"

With the plan falling into place, Momo didn't waste a second. She pulled out a roll of tape from her waist, aiming to tie Tetsutetsu up. According to the competition rules, binding an opponent with this tape meant they were officially eliminated.

But Tetsutetsu wasn't going down without a fight. He deactivated his Quirk, his body returning to normal as he tried to break free. After all his training with Daimon-sensei, he had learned never to give up without a counterattack.

Meanwhile, Kirishima, having removed his shoes, sprinted down the hall at full speed. The match was reaching its critical moment!

But just as Tetsutetsu regained his footing, Mineta's seemingly sluggish demeanor vanished. His eyes sharpened, and in an instant, his hands moved with shocking speed.

In just a heartbeat, two black "grapes" flew from Mineta's hands, sticking Tetsutetsu's arms to his waist, immobilizing him.

"What the heck!" Kaminari shouted from the monitoring room, watching the scene unfold. "Is that what they mean by 'legendary single-guy hand speed'?! Seeing is believing!"

Tetsutetsu, his arms stuck together, could only watch in frustration as Yaoyorozu calmly wrapped the tape around him, sealing his fate. In desperation, he yelled for help.

"Kirishima! What are you doing? Get over here and help me!!"

His voice echoed loudly through the corridor, but even as he was fully restrained, no help came. Instead, he heard Kirishima's resigned voice from behind him.

"Forget it, man. We lost."

Tetsutetsu, still confused, didn't understand what had happened. But if he had been able to turn around, he would've immediately realized the problem.

Kirishima had stepped on another black "grape."

There was no way Mineta would rely on just one "grape" trap. Under Momo's guidance, several carefully camouflaged "grapes" had been strategically placed along their path, trapping both boys.

Back in the monitoring room, cheers erupted, especially for Momo's brilliant tactical performance. Even All Might, who had been quietly observing, was impressed.

"Well done, Yaoyorozu Momo. Excellent use of strategy and teamwork."

Kaminari also couldn't help but feel amazed. He had previously thought those elaborate battle strategies in anime were exaggerated. But after witnessing Momo's plan in action, he was forced to reconsider.

"The so-called 'IQ crushing'… turns out it's real after all," he muttered to himself, smiling with newfound respect.

Chapter 49: A Girl’s Voice

Before long, the remaining groups finished their matches. Since each game only lasted 15 minutes, everything wrapped up within two class periods.

Perhaps it was the intensity of the battle between Midoriya and Bakugo in the first game that set the tone for the others, making everyone approach their matches with heightened seriousness. As a result, the level of competition remained consistently high, leaving Kaminari deeply entertained.

One particular individual who caught his attention was Tokoyami Fumikage. His Quirk, a fusion of the mutant and emitter types, allowed him not only to possess bird-like agility but also to summon a shadowy, bird-shaped entity. Kaminari couldn't help but feel curious about it. He wondered what it would feel like to touch that shadowy creature surely, it had to be an odd sensation, right?

As for his earlier encounter with Todoroki, while it raised more questions than answers, it didn't seem to have much of an impact on the overall mood of the class. As Bakugo had bluntly put it, "It was pretty boring!"

Finally, after the seventh period, the students of Class 1-A wrapped up their day. Most of the teachers and students had already left the Hero Course building, save for the few who still lingered like Kaminari and a few others from Class 1-A.

Kaminari was just packing up his things when Kirishima and Ashido Mina approached him with a proposal. They wanted to wait for Midoriya and properly introduce themselves.

"Sorry, I need to head home soon," Todoroki responded coldly, picking up his bag and walking out of the classroom without any further explanation.

As for Bakugo, he had already left with a stormy expression, leaving the group no choice but to shift their attention to Kaminari and Yaoyorozu, who were also preparing to leave.

Kaminari chuckled. "I'd love to, but I'm heading over to Yaoyorozu's house to study electromagnetism after school, so… maybe next time?"

Seeing their disappointed expressions, Kaminari quickly added, "Don't worry, I've already memorized everyone's names!"

To prove it, he pointed at each one, reciting their full names perfectly. With a cheeky grin, he waved and followed Yaoyorozu out of the classroom.

Yaoyorozu quietly followed behind him, her face filled with anticipation. To the casual observer, it might have seemed as though she was excited for a romantic evening, but in truth, she was simply looking forward to studying and teaching again.

While Kaminari was handsome and talented, Yaoyorozu had grown up around many successful and attractive people. She didn't harbor any romantic thoughts. To her, this was purely an academic exchange nothing more, nothing less.

The same went for Kaminari. He wasn't interested in underaged girls, regardless of Yaoyorozu's maturity and developed appearance. His focus was on his goals and ambitions. He had no time for distractions like love.

But as with life, things rarely go as planned. Who knows what the future holds? Only time will tell.

"Kaminari!"

Just as the luxury car from Yaoyorozu's family arrived at the school gates, and Kaminari was about to get in, he suddenly heard a voice calling his name.

"Kyoka? What's up?" Kaminari turned around in confusion, noticing Jiro approaching. Yaoyorozu stood silently beside him, watching.

Jiro seemed slightly out of breath, but she composed herself before speaking. "What you said this morning… were you serious?"

"What did I say this morning?" Kaminari asked, scratching his head before a grin spread across his face. "Oh, you mean the Pikachu band?"

Jiro nodded, nervously clutching her bag. "Yeah…"

"Of course, I was serious! Why wouldn't I be?" Kaminari said with enthusiasm. "How about tomorrow? It's Sunday, and we're off school. We can head to my home studio, talk through the band's details, and maybe even work on our first track!"

Jiro's face lit up. "Really? That sounds great!"

Seeing her happy expression, Kaminari smiled back. "Yup, no problem at all! It'll be fun."

With that, Jiro waved goodbye to both Kaminari and Yaoyorozu, quickly hurrying back toward the school, likely to join Kirishima and the others for their little 'meeting.'

As Kaminari watched her retreating figure, he couldn't help but shake his head with amusement. "What a cute girl," he thought to himself.

"Shall we?" Yaoyorozu asked, stepping into the car with quiet excitement. Kaminari followed suit, grabbing the car door as he was about to step in when—

"Kaminari! See you tomorrow!"

He stopped mid-step, turning around in confusion, but saw no one there. Shrugging, he got into the car.

As the luxurious vehicle began to drive off, none of them noticed the slender figure standing by the Hero Course gates. Jiro Kyoka, once again, had come to watch the car leave, her eyes fixed on the glowing red taillights until they disappeared from view. She bit her lip, turned around, and walked back into the school.

"See you tomorrow..." she whispered to the empty sky, her words carried away by the soft breeze.

Meanwhile, back in the school, Midoriya had just returned to the classroom, his arm wrapped in bandages. In a different room, the teachers were gathering once more this time, led by Principal Nezu to review the audio and video recordings that All Might had brought back.

This time, the room wasn't as crowded as earlier in the day. Many of the older teachers had left, busy with their own work. But those who mattered most were still present: Aizawa, the homeroom teacher of Class 1-A, the Class 1-B homeroom teacher, and of course, Midnight.

Normally, Midnight would have returned to Saitama where her office was located, but upon hearing that the meeting was about Kaminari, she decided to stay.

"Alright," Principal Nezu said as the recordings finished playing. "What do you all think?"

All Might's expression was unusually serious, while Aizawa remained contemplative.

After a moment, Aizawa spoke up. "This kid… Kaminari… He has a level of emotional intelligence far beyond his peers. And unlike Yaoyorozu, it's not just about IQ. He has a deep, unique understanding of the human heart."

Chapter 50: Grace and Self-Recommendation

Vlad, the homeroom teacher of Class B, stroked his chin thoughtfully, nodding in agreement. "If this kid continues to grow, he'll be a force to reckon with, whether as a Hero or... well, something else."

The principal, Nezu, cut in, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced with a more serious tone. "Exactly why we need to keep a close watch on Kaminari Denki. He's walking a fine line, and it's our responsibility to guide him, make sure he doesn't stray from the right path."

"But how?" Aizawa asked, glancing briefly at All Might. "We can't treat him too differently from the other students. Singling him out could make things worse."

All Might offered a sheepish smile before adopting a more serious expression. "Those who don't follow the rules are considered trash, but those who don't value life are worse than trash. Kaminari's philosophy that you should give everything your best effort and accept the outcome no matter what is noble. But when he says he'd prioritize saving a partner over protecting a city, I... I can't say whether that's right or wrong."

He trailed off, unsure of how to reconcile this dilemma. According to the code of Hero conduct, the greater good, the city's safety should come first. But deep down, All Might knew that if he were in Kaminari's shoes, he would've made the same choice. The difference, of course, was that All Might had the ability to do both: save the city and protect his partner. Kaminari, still just a student, would face far more pressure.

"Kaminari is the type to follow his heart," Aizawa said. "When things get critical, he'll abandon the rules if he feels it's the right thing to do. We saw it when he used his Quirk illegally to save that old man in Omiya Park. He didn't hesitate, didn't think about the consequences. He just acted."

Midnight, recalling her first encounter with Kaminari at the park, nodded in agreement. "Exactly. He's a rule-breaker when it comes to emergencies. That can be both his strength and his downfall."

Aizawa continued, "In a way, it's a commendable trait acting decisively in the heat of the moment is essential for a Hero. But it's also dangerous. If the importance of rules is too light in his mind, he could easily start justifying reckless behavior. At that point, what separates him from the villains?"

The room fell silent as Aizawa's words hung in the air. Everyone understood the gravity of what he was saying.

Nezu leaned forward, his small paws clasped together on the table. "Kaminari is, as you've put it, walking a tightrope. He has a strong moral compass, but unless he keeps that compass balanced, he's at risk of falling whether into a life of crime or simply making poor decisions with catastrophic results."

Nezu's sharp, strategic mind was already working out solutions. "First, we need to strengthen his understanding of the laws and the regulations that guide Hero work. He needs to grasp that these rules exist not to restrict him, but to protect him and the people he saves. We should assign him a professional Hero who can frequently check in with him, someone to guide him in navigating the gray areas that come up in the field."

The teachers nodded in agreement, understanding the need for a mentor.

"Second," Nezu continued, "we should work on building up his respect and trust for the Hero society. If we can make him feel more connected to the broader Hero network, he'll be less likely to go rogue. Finally, Aizawa, I'd like you to expand your teaching. Include some case studies on the darker side of villainy, things we normally cover in the second year. Kaminari needs to see the consequences of unchecked power and lawlessness."

"Understood," Aizawa replied. He was always willing to adapt his methods to help his students.

"Now, we just need to figure out which teacher can keep regular contact with Kaminari," Nezu said, glancing around the room.

For a moment, no one spoke. All Might, who had brought up the issue, remained silent. He already had his hands full with Midoriya and couldn't take on the responsibility of mentoring Kaminari as well.

Just when it seemed no one would step up, Midnight raised her hand with a confident smile. "I'll do it. I live in Saitama, same as Kaminari, and I've seen him jogging in Omiya Park in the mornings. It wouldn't be hard for me to chat with him from time to time. Plus, I think he's already comfortable with me."

Nezu nodded approvingly. "Thank you, Midnight. Just remember to ask Kaminari for his contact information directly. We can't disclose that without his permission."

"Of course," Midnight said, still smiling. "I'll talk to him next Monday. Maybe I'll even bump into him on his jog tomorrow."

With that, the meeting concluded. Kaminari had officially become a focal point of U.A. High School's attention, though he remained blissfully unaware of this fact. At that very moment, he was at the Yaoyorozu estate, sipping high-end tea while being tutored in electromagnetism by the ever-enthusiastic Yaoyorozu Momo.

As the clock struck seven, the butler gently reminded Momo that it was time to wrap up. She reluctantly set down the retractable pointer she'd been using to illustrate concepts, while Kaminari, after two hours of intense focus, let out a relieved sigh. Learning electromagnetism from Yaoyorozu was no easy task, though he couldn't deny how much he appreciated her effort.

"Thank you, Yaoyorozu-san," Kaminari said earnestly, bowing his head slightly. "You've been standing and teaching for two hours straight. I really appreciate it."

Earlier, Kaminari had suggested she sit, but Yaoyorozu had insisted on standing, saying, "I'm the teacher today, so I should look the part." Her dedication left him both impressed and touched.

Yaoyorozu smiled warmly. "It's no trouble at all. I'm happy to help."

Kaminari, grateful beyond words, silently vowed to repay the kindness of the Yaoyorozu family one day. He couldn't shake the feeling that their generosity letting their daughter tutor him so freely came with an unspoken understanding. Whatever the reason, he knew he owed them.

"If I ever get the chance, I'll make sure to repay this favor," Kaminari thought to himself. The bond between him and the Yaoyorozu family had deepened.

Yaoyorozu interrupted his thoughts with a question. "Kaminari, would it be alright if I joined Jiro's band?"

Kaminari blinked in surprise. "You want to be in the band? Do you play any instruments?"

She shook her head. "No, I'm not really good with musical instruments."

"Then why?" Kaminari asked, confused.

She smiled sweetly. "I thought I could be the band's manager. It seems like it would be fun, and I'd love to help out."

Kaminari hesitated. "Why choose us? There are plenty of bands you could manage."

"Because you're my classmates," she replied softly. "And… I feel like managing your band would be a wonderful experience. Sometimes, a girl's intuition is all you need.

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 51: The Dark Side

Just like the previous night, around 7:30 PM, with the bright moon already hanging above the treetops, Kaminari returned home, feeling mentally drained.

As soon as he opened the door, the familiar smell of food filled his nostrils, and the warm, comforting atmosphere immediately enveloped him. This was what home felt like. It was precisely this feeling that made him willing to take an extra hour-long train ride every day to get back here.

"My son is home!"

His mother was the first to notice Kaminari stepping through the door. Perhaps it was the sensitivity unique to women or simply a mother's instinct.

"Yeah, I'm back, Mom. Hi, Dad," Kaminari greeted while slipping into his bright yellow Pikachu slippers. He then handed his school bag to his mother's waiting hand. This was one of the little ways she showed she cared, so he never refused.

"Son, you won't believe it! About that 'Pokémon'..." His father, clearly excited, was just about to launch into something when his mother cut in, slightly displeased.

"Talk business later. Our son hasn't even eaten yet."

"Oh, right, right... of course! Hahaha." Kaminari's dad awkwardly rubbed his nose, realizing he had been a bit too eager.

Seeing his loving parents, Kaminari smiled warmly. He changed out of his school uniform into casual clothes, quickly freshened up, and then eagerly dove into the home-cooked dinner his mom had left out for him.

In fact, Yaoyorozu had invited him to stay and have dinner at her place, but Kaminari politely declined. He knew that had he stayed, he would've been treated to a lavish meal, the kind he'd likely never experienced before.

But... he still preferred his mom's home-cooked meals.

"Someday, I'll treat my parents to a fancy meal too," he thought to himself as he enjoyed the food.

After dinner, his mom gathered the dishes with a gentle expression, while Kaminari settled onto the living room sofa to chat with his dad.

"Dad, what was it you wanted to tell me about 'Pokémon'?" Kaminari asked, his curiosity finally piqued.

"Ah, right!" His father perked up, looking relieved to finally share the news. "Our company hit a stroke of luck! You know the Mitsui Corporation, right? Somehow, they found out we were planning to produce a 'Pokémon' comic series, and get this—a rep from Mitsui's animation production branch actually came by!"

"Mitsui... them again?" Kaminari's expression darkened with suspicion. He recalled how Mitsui had unexpectedly taken over the production of Hero costumes, and now this?

"But I don't remember knowing anyone at Mitsui..." he muttered to himself.

Unaware of his son's unease, his father continued, beaming as he occasionally took sips from his coffee. "They offered to partner with us on producing 'Pokémon,' saying they could animate it and handle broadcasting on major TV networks!"

Kaminari remained calm and asked, "And what do they want in return?"

His dad, eyes gleaming, said, "That's the thing! There are no real conditions. They only ask that we cover the animation costs, and they're offering a 20% discount! Can you believe it? It's practically a gift! Animation pricing is usually calculated by the second, and on top of that, Mitsui's covering the broadcasting! It's unbelievable!"

Kaminari leaned back, thinking carefully. "But, Dad, have you considered why Mitsui is offering something so generous?"

His father nodded, looking serious for a moment. "I have. I've been in business for years, of course I thought about it. I even had a lawyer review the contract, and there's nothing shady in it. So, I figured, why not take advantage of their offer?"

Kaminari nodded slowly. If that were the case, then there really wasn't any reason to refuse.

"Alright, Dad. I trust you. With your experience, I'm sure you'll handle it without falling into any traps."

His father laughed heartily, clearly pleased. What father wouldn't love to hear his son express confidence and admiration for him?

At that moment, Kaminari cleared his throat. "Actually, I have something I wanted to talk to you about too."

"Oh? What's that?"

"Well, I've decided to form a band with two of my female classmates. We've even come up with a name—'The Pikachu Band,'" Kaminari said, grinning.

"Wait, female classmates?!" His mom, who had just finished tidying the kitchen and walked into the living room, immediately perked up. She rushed to sit beside him, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Tell me, what kind of girls are they? Do you have any photos?"

Well... this wasn't surprising. In Japan, families are often more relaxed. As long as their children are in high school, dating isn't frowned upon. In some more open-minded families, particularly those with sons, parents might even encourage their kids to find a girlfriend.

Kaminari chuckled at his mom's enthusiasm, shaking his head with a helpless smile. "Mom, it's not what you think. We're just classmates who like my music, so we decided to form a little band."

"Oh, honey, you don't understand!" His mom's usually gentle expression was suddenly filled with pride. "My son is so talented and handsome! There's no way these girls don't have other thoughts about you after spending time together."

Her tone was filled with certainty.

"Okay, okay," Kaminari's dad chimed in, pulling his wife gently back toward him. "Let the boy finish."

Kaminari smiled and continued. "Anyway, I wrote a song for our band. I want it to be our debut track, and it's themed around Pokémon."

His father immediately caught on. "Ah, I see! You want to use that song as the theme for our Pokémon animation, don't you?"

Kaminari nodded, and his dad, already thinking it over, said, "That could work. We'd need to discuss it with Mitsui, of course, but if your song fits well, I'm sure we could make it happen."

His dad seemed determined. Even though Mitsui was the partner, he was clearly ready to fight for his son's opportunity. As long as Kaminari's song wasn't terrible, he was confident he could persuade Mitsui to go with it, even if they had a theme of their own in mind.

Was this a shady tactic? Perhaps. But Kaminari's dad knew that in this world, things weren't always fair.

Chapter 52: Kyoka and Momo

"But didn't you say earlier that you weren't ready to make your debut yet?" Kaminari's dad asked, puzzled.

Kaminari didn't deny it and explained, "That's true. We're not officially debuting. We're just a school band, more like a club. We only release songs occasionally, and we don't plan on doing any performances until after we graduate."

"But basic promotion is still necessary," Kaminari continued. "You know, things like member posters, song previews, that sort of thing. Yaoyorozu Momo's family will probably handle most of that."

"Wait, did you just say Yaoyorozu?" Both his mom and dad perked up immediately. The Yaoyorozu family was one of the wealthiest in Japan, easily rivaling the Mitsui family.

Kaminari hesitated before replying, "Yeah, one of the two female classmates I mentioned before is the eldest daughter of the Yaoyorozu family. She's agreed to be the manager of our band..."

He hesitated because he knew this information could overwhelm his parents. In a socially stratified place like Japan, families like the Yaoyorozus weren't just wealthy, they were practically royalty. The influence and power they wielded were very real, especially to people like his parents, who had lived their entire lives navigating the complexities of society.

For a moment, his parents just stared at each other, processing what they'd heard. Then his dad let out a hearty laugh and said, "Well, well, son, you're doing great!"

"Yeah, we're proud of you!" his mom chimed in, her face full of encouragement.

Kaminari sighed internally. "This isn't what I meant..." he thought, feeling slightly worn out by the misunderstanding.

"Anyway, Dad," Kaminari changed the subject, "tomorrow's Sunday, and I was thinking of bringing my bandmates to the company around noon. We'll meet with Dawu to record a new song."

"Sounds good!" his dad said enthusiastically. "I'll call the cleaning crew right away and have them tidy up the office tomorrow morning."

Though he wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea of the eldest daughter of the Yaoyorozu family visiting his company, Kaminari's dad still saw it as an opportunity, a rare one at that.

"Hey, son," his mom suddenly interjected, "if you can, bring them over to the house sometime."

"Sure, if there's time," Kaminari said, though he didn't make any promises.

"By the way," his dad asked, "what's the name of your new song?"

"The title is 'Gotta Catch 'Em All!'" Kaminari replied with a grin.

---

The next day, March 4th, was the first weekend break since Kaminari and his classmates had started their school year. Finally, a chance to relax.

It was around 11 a.m. The early spring sun was warm but not overpowering, and a gentle breeze made the weather feel perfect. The kind of day where couples would want to go out and enjoy themselves.

Kaminari was standing near the entrance of the subway station closest to his dad's company, watching couples stroll by with mild amusement. He wasn't there to people-watch though, he was waiting for Kyoka. As for Yaoyorozu Momo, Kaminari was pretty sure she wouldn't take the subway. She'd probably show up in a luxury car any minute now.

And sure enough, as the saying goes, "Speak of the devil and he shall appear." Kaminari spotted Momo stepping out of an expensive car.

"Kaminari!"

"Hey, Momo," Kaminari greeted her, a little puzzled as he looked at her outfit. "Why are you dressed so formally?"

Momo was wearing a sleek, custom-tailored business suit, looking completely out of place for a casual band meet-up.

"This is formal," she said with a proud smile, looking down at her fitted suit. "As the band's manager, I'm meeting your uncle at the company today, so of course I have to dress the part!" She twirled playfully and asked, "What do you think? Do I look good?"

Her polished appearance had already attracted plenty of attention from passersby, particularly from men who weren't even trying to be subtle much to the dismay of the women they were with.

"You look great," Kaminari replied, though honestly, with her natural elegance, Momo would have looked amazing even in regular clothes.

Just then, another voice called out, "Kaminari!"

Kaminari turned to see Kyoka climbing the subway stairs, carrying a large bass case over her shoulder. She was a bit out of breath, a sheen of sweat glistening on her forehead.

"Here, let me take that," Kaminari said, stepping forward to grab the bass case from her. Kyoka didn't protest, just gave him a shy smile. However, when her eyes landed on Momo, she froze momentarily before quickly returning to her usual self.

"Um, who's this?" Kyoka asked, eyeing Momo curiously.

"Wait, Kaminari didn't tell you?" Momo asked in surprise, glancing at Kaminari. She extended a hand to Kyoka, introducing herself. "I'm joining the Pikachu Band as the manager. It's nice to meet you!"

"Ah, right! Sorry, I didn't expect this," Kyoka said, a bit flustered, but quickly shook Momo's hand. They were classmates, after all, though Kyoka couldn't help but feel slightly out of place.

Seeing Kyoka's discomfort, Kaminari scratched his head awkwardly. "Yeah, sorry about that. I meant to tell you last night, but I got caught up talking to my dad."

"It's fine," Kyoka replied with a small smile, though she still felt like she had forgotten something. Just then, she remembered that there was someone else she hadn't told about today's plans.

"Kazama... I'm sorry," Kyoka thought guiltily, realizing she hadn't updated her good friend, who was miles away. "I'll explain everything to Kaminari later..."

Chapter 53: The Mysterious Boy

With two beautiful girls each with her own distinct style walking beside him, Kaminari strolled down the street, attracting envious glares from the men around.

"Well... even though I'm not an adult yet, this feels pretty good," Kaminari chuckled inwardly. It wasn't that he had romantic feelings for either of them, but come on, what boy wouldn't feel a little proud in this situation?

Suddenly, a commotion erupted in front of them.

"My bag! He stole my bag!"

Kaminari, Kyoka, and Momo turned their heads to see a man wearing a cat-like mask sprinting past them, clutching a woman's handbag. Behind him, a middle-aged woman in a red dress, teetering on high heels, was chasing after him, yelling for help between labored breaths.

"Kaminari?" Both Momo and Kyoka glanced at him expectantly, but Kaminari just shook his head and pulled them to the side, watching the thief dash by.

"We should leave this to the patrolling Heroes or the police," Kaminari whispered. "By law, we're not allowed to use our Quirks on people unless it's an emergency. And without Quirks, we'd probably get hurt trying to stop him."

This wasn't like the time they'd saved the elderly man. Back then, it was a matter of life and death, and Kaminari hadn't hesitated to break the rules. But for something like petty theft, there was no reason to get involved and risk trouble.

"Hey, it's broad daylight, and you're grabbing bags?" a new voice called out.

A boy with messy purple hair and narrow, triangular eyes stood calmly watching the cat-headed thief approach.

Kaminari frowned, sizing him up. "What's he planning to do? Use his Quirk? He doesn't look like a pro Hero." The boy appeared to be around the same age as Kaminari, so he probably wasn't licensed to intervene either.

"Is he just another hotheaded kid trying to be a hero?" Kaminari wondered.

The thief, now looking more desperate, snarled and raised his left hand, his nails suddenly growing long and sharp, clearly dangerous.

Seeing this, Kaminari discreetly took out a hundred-yen coin from his pocket, prepared to use it if things got out of hand.

But to his surprise, the purple-haired boy didn't do anything. He simply stepped aside and let the thief run by, just like Kaminari had.

The onlookers let out a collective sigh of relief, though many shot the boy disapproving looks. "If you're not going to do anything, why pretend to be brave?" some muttered.

Kaminari also relaxed, letting the coin fall back into his palm. He was just about to leave with Momo and Kyoka when the boy spoke again.

"Stop. Don't move."

The crowd snickered at his words. "Here we go again," someone chuckled. "Does he really think the thief is just going to stop because he said so?"

But, strangely enough... the thief did stop.

Less than ten meters away from the purple-haired boy, the thief froze in place, unable to move. His eyes darted around in panic as if something invisible was holding him back, his body refusing to obey his commands.

"Just stay there. The police or a Hero will come for you soon," the boy said calmly. Then, turning to the crowd, he added, "Don't touch him until they arrive."

Without waiting for a response, the boy turned and walked away, leaving everyone including Kaminari and his friends staring in shock.

Within minutes, several Heroes and police officers arrived on the scene. They found the thief still standing frozen, looking bewildered.

"First time I've seen a thief who doesn't try to run," one Hero remarked as he approached, handcuffs at the ready.

As soon as the handcuffs clicked around the thief's wrists, his body unfroze, and he collapsed to the ground in confusion. He seemed just as surprised as everyone else.

"What just happened?" Kaminari muttered to himself as they continued walking toward his father's company. He couldn't stop thinking about the mysterious boy and his strange Quirk.

"This is the first time I've seen an ability like that. It was almost like... mind control," Kaminari thought, replaying the scene in his head.

"Based on the distance, it seems like he can control people from afar," Kaminari mused. "But there's got to be some kind of limit. If not, his Quirk would be way too powerful, almost unfairly so."

Kaminari also thought about his teacher, Aizawa's Quirk, which could erase powers from a distance. But while Aizawa could stop someone's abilities temporarily, the boy's power seemed to completely immobilize his target.

"Kaminari, are you still thinking about that boy?" Momo asked, breaking his concentration.

"Yeah," Kaminari admitted. "His Quirk was seriously impressive. I'm trying to figure out how it worked. If I ever run into him again, I'd like to ask."

"I think I've seen him at school before," Kyoka said suddenly, surprising Kaminari.

"Wait, you've seen him at U.A.?" Kaminari asked, his interest piqued. "Is he from Class B?"

"No, I know everyone in Class B. He must be in one of the other departments," Kyoka replied thoughtfully.

"That's hard to believe," Kaminari said, thinking it over. "With a Quirk that strong, he'd have no trouble getting into the Hero Course."

But then Kaminari remembered how strict the entrance exam had been. "Actually, I guess his Quirk might not be suited for the kind of combat they test for during the exam. Still, it makes me wonder why U.A. doesn't consider abilities like his more carefully."

By this time, the three of them had arrived at Kaminari's father's office building.

Momo looked up at the structure and smiled. "Kaminari, your family's company is pretty big! It feels like one of our headquarters."

Kaminari chuckled awkwardly. "Uh... actually, we only occupy two floors..."

"Pfft!" Kyoka burst into laughter, her earlier tension melting away.

"Alright, let's head inside!" Kaminari said, leading the way into the building.

---

Meanwhile, in Shizuoka Prefecture, a blue-haired boy sat quietly, staring at his phone on the desk in front of him, waiting for a message.

"Kyoka... did you forget to mention me to Kaminari again?" he murmured to himself.

Behind him stood a brand-new electronic keyboard, waiting silently, just like its owner waiting for its first sound to be heard.

Chapter 54: Initial Completion

"Ding."

The elevator doors slid open smoothly, revealing a bustling but orderly office space. Men and women in sharp suits moved efficiently around the area, each focused on their respective tasks. The low hum of work filled the air, faint conversations as files were exchanged, the sound of ringing phones promptly answered, and the rhythmic clicking of keyboards typing out reports.

When the nearby employees spotted Kaminari and his friends, they greeted him with warm, familiar smiles but nothing too formal. After all, they'd seen him countless times over the years, he was the president's son, after all.

"Hmm... looks like Dad didn't mention anything about Momo," Kaminari mused quietly as he led Kyoka and Momo toward the president's office.

"Wow!" Momo exclaimed softly, her eyes lighting up with interest as she took in the surroundings. "Kaminari, your family's company is really focused on 'Pikachu.' There are so many of them around here!"

"Yeah, it's like Pikachu paradise," Kyoka added, nodding toward the large two-meter-high Pikachu posters that adorned the walls, along with various Pikachu-themed merchandise and stickers scattered throughout the office.

"Hey, what are those?" Kyoka asked, pointing toward some posters near the floor-to-ceiling windows. "They don't look like Pikachu."

Kaminari and Momo followed her gaze. The posters showed three unfamiliar Pokémon, each with a Poké Ball hovering above their heads, all in vibrant colors and unique shapes.

"Oh, those," Kaminari said with a smile. "Those are the starter Pokémon. The red one is Charmander, a Fire-type. The little turtle is Squirtle, a Water-type, and the green one over there is Bulbasaur, a Grass-type."

"Shu...ba? What does that mean?" Kyoka asked, tilting her head, her confusion making her look rather adorable.

Kaminari chuckled. "That's just the species name for Pikachu and the others. They're what we call basic Pokémon."

Of course, Kaminari didn't mention that he had drawn these characters himself, at least, the original three. Beyond those, he'd created basic sketches of several Pokémon and planned to leave the rest of the designs to his mother and a team of professional cartoonists.

"They're really interesting designs!" Momo said, clearly impressed. As someone with a keen business sense, she quickly grasped the potential behind what Kaminari's family was doing.

Just Pikachu alone had built a successful company. Expanding it into an entire Pokémon world with multiple characters? The possibilities were endless.

"Son!"

Kaminari's father appeared, having just been notified by his secretary that they had arrived. He strode over to greet them, his eyes lighting up as he took in the sight of Momo and Kyoka. Well, mostly Momo, he was eager to meet the young lady from the prestigious Yaoyorozu family.

"Dad, this is Kyoka Jiro and Momo Yaoyorozu," Kaminari introduced them formally. "They're my classmates and members of the Pikachu Band."

"Ah, very nice to meet you!" Kaminari's dad said, beaming. "Such lovely young ladies. Please take good care of Kaminari!"

"Hello, sir," Momo and Kyoka replied politely, both bowing in greeting.

Kaminari's father practically glowed with pride. His son was clearly doing well, not only starting a band but also bringing home such charming and capable friends. He couldn't help but think Kaminari was already much more accomplished than he had been at his age.

"Let's head down to the recording studio on the second floor," his dad said, pointing to the elevator. "Dawu should have everything set up for you."

He led the way, eager to hear the song Kaminari had composed as the potential theme for their first animation project. Given the success of Kaminari's earlier work, he wasn't too worried, it would probably be great.

Soon, they arrived at the recording studio, which was sleek and well-equipped. Dawu, who was in charge of the technical side, had clearly taken his role seriously today. Instead of lounging around playing with his phone like usual, he was wearing a neat light-blue suit, his hair carefully styled, and he even had a pair of glasses that added a touch of professionalism.

"Alright," Kaminari's father said as they settled into the studio. They all gathered around a low glass coffee table, sinking into the soft leather couches. "Before we dive into the song, how much do you two know about 'Pokémon'?"

Kyoka and Momo exchanged glances, then shook their heads. Momo answered, "Honestly, we don't know much beyond Pikachu and the few characters Kaminari just introduced."

Kaminari's father smiled, not at all surprised. After all, Pokémon hadn't officially launched yet, so there wasn't much for them to know.

"That's alright," he said, reaching for a tablet on the table. He tapped a few buttons before handing it to them. "Take a look at this. It'll give you a good idea of what the series is about."

Kyoka and Momo leaned in, curious. The screen displayed a black-and-white comic cover featuring Pikachu perched on a young boy's shoulder, clearly a younger version of Kaminari himself, though with a much more "cute" and playful look compared to his real-life self.

"Wait, the manga's already out?" Kaminari asked, surprised.

"Haha, not quite," his dad laughed. "We've only got the first two chapters finished. It'll take a while before the whole series is ready."

Momo picked up the tablet and scooted closer to Kyoka, both of them intrigued. They hadn't expected Pokémon to feature Kaminari as the main character.

"This is so weird," Kyoka said with a smile, her eyes sparkling as she glanced at the chibi version of Kaminari on the screen. "It's the first time I've known someone who became a comic book protagonist!"

Momo giggled as well. "So, if this comic becomes popular, will we start seeing Kaminari merchandise, too? Maybe figurines?"

Kaminari and his dad exchanged glances, both realizing that this could very well be a possibility. Kaminari turned back to the girls, grinning. "If they make figures of me, would you guys buy them?"

"Definitely!" Kyoka blurted out, then immediately blushed, realizing how quickly she'd responded. She tried to hide her embarrassment with a sheepish smile, while Momo laughed beside her.

Chapter 55: Midnight, Early Morning, Birdsong

"Hahaha!" Kaminari's father burst into laughter. "It looks like we won't have to worry about the sales of Kaminari's merchandise in the future!"

However, Momo had a different take on it. "We're classmates, and we're also part of the same band. Shouldn't Kaminari's merchandise be gifted to us?"

"Haha, of course! Absolutely!" Kaminari's father replied enthusiastically. "Whenever we launch new products, you two will be the first to get them!"

At that moment, Kaminari, staring at the tablet, suddenly had an idea. "Dad, what if we added these two," he gestured to Momo and Kyoka, "into the manga? They could go on adventures with me and Pikachu!"

Momo and Kyoka exchanged a glance, surprised but intrigued by the idea. It actually sounded... pretty fun.

Kaminari's father scratched his head, thinking for a moment. "I'd have to run it by Junichi, our writer, and of course, we'd need to check with the Mitsui Corporation, too. I can't give you an answer just yet."

"You guys finish reading those two chapters first, then let's start recording the song," he added, standing up. "I'll have my secretary check on it in the meantime."

He had a good feeling about this idea, though. After all, the comic was still in its early stages. Adding new characters or tweaking the storyline wouldn't be too difficult. Plus, having characters based on actual U.A. students would be a massive draw.

U.A. High School was legendary in Japan, the dream school for so many young kids. Just the idea of a comic that featured real Hero Course students from U.A. would send excitement through the roof.

"Uncle, I'll need to check with my family about this too," Momo said apologetically. As the eldest daughter of the Yaoyorozu family, she couldn't just decide something like this on her own. Her family would definitely need to approve any public use of their name or image.

"Of course, that makes sense," Kaminari's father nodded in understanding.

About ten minutes later, after finishing the first two chapters of the Pokémon manga, Kyoka and Momo leaned back, digesting what they'd read. The story was definitely different from what Kaminari remembered from his past life, but for now, it still captured the same spirit of adventure and discovery.

"So, it's about this ten-year-old kid named Denki who goes on a journey with Pikachu," Momo summarized. "They travel together, meeting other Pokémon and battling along the way."

Kyoka nodded thoughtfully. "The theme song you've prepared, it must fit with that magical, adventurous vibe, right?"

"Exactly!" Kaminari said, standing up and clapping his hands. "Alright, let's get started. I'll do a solo run first, and then we can record it together."

He handed a USB drive to Daigo and reminded him, "This one's a bit different from my usual songs. It'll need some extra work in post-production."

Dawu, who was already in full work mode, nodded. "Got it," he said, fully understanding the task ahead.

Kaminari grabbed his guitar affectionately nicknamed "Pikachu" and headed into the recording booth. Kyoka and Momo stood by the glass window, watching him as he set up.

"Do you notice how different Kaminari seems when he picks up the guitar?" Kyoka whispered to Momo. "His whole vibe changes."

Momo nodded, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "He's completely focused. It's the same way he gets when we're studying together." She smiled slightly, recalling how serious Kaminari could be when he put his mind to something.

Kyoka just stared at Momo, her words sinking in. Somehow, that comparison made her feel... weird. Maybe a bit jealous, though she couldn't quite place why.

---

Meanwhile, in a Hero Agency office in Saitama City, Midnight the sultry and fierce pro Hero was seated at her desk, staring intently at nothing in particular. The steaming cup of green matcha tea beside her was completely ignored as she lost herself in deep thought.

"What exactly was that technique?" she wondered. "Why did it feel so... dangerous?"

Her mind drifted back to early that morning, just before dawn, around six o'clock. She'd been at Omiya Park, under the pretense of jogging, secretly hoping to run into Kaminari. She wasn't there to flirt, but as his educator, she felt it was her responsibility to check in on him.

She had dressed down for the occasion simple white athletic wear, nothing too revealing. She wanted to keep it professional, despite her usual reputation for sultriness, she had taken her role as Kaminari's mentor seriously and opted for something more practical than provocative.

In truth, she'd gone there hoping to "accidentally" run into Kaminari. And she did, but not in the way she expected.

She spotted him running not at the park's entrance, but deeper inside, where fewer people usually went. Curious, and sensing something unusual, she trailed him from a distance, her instincts as a Hero kicking in.

At first, she thought he was just out for a jog, but something about the direction he was heading seemed... off. He was moving toward a secluded area, which immediately raised her suspicions.

Choosing to stay back, Midnight activated her most basic tracking techniques, keeping herself hidden as she followed him into the thick, quiet woods.

But then, to her surprise, she lost him.

How? There was no way he could've just disappeared, there were no paths, just a small trail lined with cherry blossoms. Puzzled, she scanned the area but found no sign of him.

That's when she heard it. A faint crackling sound, like electricity, coming from deeper within the trees. It wasn't loud, but in the silence of the forest, it stood out clearly.

Following the sound cautiously, she came across a clearing, and what she saw next made her heart skip a beat.

Hidden behind a tree, she peeked out to see Kaminari standing in the middle of the clearing, his right hand crackling with a bright, intense electrical charge. The sheer concentration of power in his palm sent a chill down her spine.

"What... is that?" she whispered to herself, watching in awe as golden lightning flickered and sparked from his hand.

She had seen Kaminari use electricity before, but this... this was something else entirely. There was a palpable sense of danger in the air, a feeling she only got when she was near someone truly powerful.

Before she could react, the crackling stopped. Kaminari lowered his hand, a look of frustration and disappointment on his face as he muttered to himself, "Failed again... I was so close."

Midnight's mind raced. What exactly had she just witnessed?

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 56: The Drummer and the Alarm

Recently, the news of All Might taking up his position at U.A. High School had begun to create ripples after fermenting for the past few days.

Well... if you looked at the reporters swarming the school gates, you could see the impact. These journalists had been stationed outside since noon the previous day, creating quite the commotion. Needless to say, it was causing a bit of an inconvenience for both teachers and students at U.A.

Every time someone stepped outside the school, they were bombarded with questions about All Might. The constant barrage of inquiries was enough to irritate anyone.

Of course, the nearby hotels, restaurants, and food stalls were thrilled with the situation. The surge of business from the reporters camping out meant they were making a killing over the past couple of days.

But all of this had little to do with Kaminari and his friends, who were now sitting in the school cafeteria, enjoying their lunch.

Why? Because everyone knew that no matter how loud the reporters shouted outside, they couldn't set foot inside U.A.'s grounds.

It was the fourth class of the day, one taught by their homeroom teacher, Aizawa.

"Alright, let's get to the point of today's class meeting," Aizawa began in his usual monotone voice.

"Sorry to rush things, but today I'd like to—"

Before he could finish his sentence, the entire class tensed up, memories of their brutal first day of school still fresh in their minds.

"—decide on the class representative."

Everyone collectively sighed in relief. At least this was a normal school activity for once!

Suddenly, Kirishima leapt to his feet with a loud bang, his chair screeching across the floor as he exclaimed, "I want to be the class rep! Let me do it!"

"Isn't this a role fit for me?" Aoyama said narcissistically, flipping his golden hair with flair.

"Hah?! It's obviously mine!" Bakugo growled, his face full of murderous intent.

The whole class buzzed with excitement well, everyone except Kaminari, Todoroki, Midoriya, and a few others, who remained calm.

"Class rep, huh... I'm not interested," Kaminari muttered to himself, staring lazily at the ceiling.

He knew that being the class rep in the Hero Course was a far more prestigious position than it was in any ordinary school. It could even be considered an "important stepping stone toward becoming a top Hero in the future."

But.

Kaminari's goal wasn't to become a top Hero running his own agency or patrolling the streets day and night. No, his goal was to become the strongest user of lightning-based Quirks in the world!

Though, if you said that out loud, it might sound pretty similar...

Besides, Kaminari already had too much on his plate. Between his band, training, and his own personal ambitions, his days were packed from 5 AM to late evening. He didn't need the added responsibility of class representative weighing him down.

"Isn't there an obvious candidate for this?" Kaminari glanced at Iida, who had just stood up to give a lengthy speech on the importance of the class representative role.

Eventually, the class agreed to decide on the class rep through a vote.

The results?

Midoriya Izuku: 3 votes

Kaminari Denki: 3 votes

Yaoyorozu Momo: 2 votes

Everyone else had voted for themselves, naturally.

Midoriya was flustered, Iida was disappointed, Kaminari was surprised, and Yaoyorozu smiled.

"Midoriya and Kaminari tied with three votes each..." Kirishima said, glancing at Midoriya. "I know his punch is powerful, but personality-wise... he's a bit too timid."

"Wait a second... who voted for me?" Iida asked suddenly, looking around with confusion.

"Huh? Didn't you vote for yourself?" Kirishima responded, puzzled.

"No, I voted for Yaoyorozu," Iida said earnestly. "I believe she's the most qualified for the position!"

Kirishima stared at him, bewildered. "But you want to be class rep! Why wouldn't you vote for yourself?"

"I voted for him," Kaminari said, interrupting the conversation. Instantly, all eyes were on him including Iida's, who was now gazing at him with deeply moved eyes.

"Kaminari-san... thank you!" Iida said, looking like he had just received the highest form of validation.

"Kaminari, you don't want to be class rep?" Kyoka asked, her head tilted in confusion.

Kaminari shrugged. "Yeah, I'm not really interested in it. I honestly think Iida's the best person for the job."

"Kaminari-san!" Iida was practically glowing with pride. Even if he didn't become the class rep, knowing that he had earned Kaminari's respect filled him with satisfaction.

"Someday, I'll be as great as you!"

Kaminari gave Iida a puzzled look, wondering why he was so fired up all of a sudden.

"It's alright, Kaminari-san," Iida continued, standing up and giving his usual dramatic salute. "I suggested the voting system, and so I will respect the outcome of the vote!"

"Are the results finalized yet?" Aizawa asked from where he was lying on the floor, cocooned in his sleeping bag. "If so, hurry it up."

With Kaminari voluntarily stepping down, the final results named Midoriya as the class representative, and Yaoyorozu Momo as his deputy. Though Midoriya was visibly trembling at the responsibility, the roles were officially set.

When the class ended, it was time for lunch. Everyone, except for Aoyama who insisted on eating his French cuisine in the classroom, made their way to the cafeteria.

"Kaminari, has your band finished recording the first song yet?" Ashido Mina asked excitedly as she put down her silver spoon. She was clearly eager to hear it.

The other girls Uraraka, Asui, and the rest also turned their attention to Kaminari, looking at him, Kyoka, and Momo with anticipation. They were more than a little envious.

"Yeah, it's almost done," Kaminari replied with a smile. "Once the post-production is finished, it'll be uploaded to Japan's MTV website. You can just search for 'Pikachu Band,' and you'll be able to find our exclusive page and listen to it there."

"When it's up, I'll send you all the link," he added casually, then turned to Kyoka. "By the way, Kyoka, how's that friend of yours? The one who plays the electronic keyboard?"

"Kazama? He was really enthusiastic about it," Kyoka said, nodding. "I'll give you his number later, and you can chat with him directly."

"He's a bit lazy, but he's great with the keyboard," she added with a small smirk. "Probably better than me."

Momo took a sip of her tea, setting down the cup delicately before saying, "Now we just need a drummer."

Kaminari nodded in agreement. He knew how important a drummer was to a band, but he didn't want just anyone. It had to be someone who clicked with the group, not just someone skilled.

"Anyone here know how to play drums?" Kaminari asked, glancing around the table at his classmates.

Tetsutetsu, Kirishima, and the others exchanged awkward glances, but no one spoke up.

Kaminari sighed, a bit disappointed. He really hoped to form a band entirely made up of fellow students.

None of them noticed Bakugo, sitting alone, who glanced at Kaminari with an odd look in his eyes. He frowned slightly, then returned to eating his lunch, muttering to himself.

"Like I'd ever play drums for you..."

Suddenly, a sharp alarm rang out, breaking the casual chatter in the cafeteria. A voice came over the loudspeaker, calm yet firm.

"Security Level 3 has been breached. Please evacuate to the outside of the building immediately."

Iida, always the quick thinker, turned to the upperclassman sitting nearby and asked, "What does 'Security Level 3' mean?"

"It means someone has broken into the school building," the upperclassman replied urgently. "This hasn't happened in the three years I've been here!" He immediately stood and rushed toward the exit.

The entire class sprang into action, heading for the door, but Kaminari stayed put, his brow furrowed. He grabbed Kyoka and Momo by the arms before they could join the rush.

"Hold on. Don't go charging in. It's dangerous!" he warned.

Having lived through several incidents like this in his previous life, Kaminari was particularly sensitive to the dangers of large crowds in emergencies.

"But if there's an intruder, shouldn't we—" Tetsutetsu started, looking anxious.

"No need to panic," Kaminari said firmly. "There are pro Heroes here, dozens of them. And don't forget, All Might is here too!"

He gestured toward the congested entrance where people were crowding in panic. "Even if there's an invasion, rushing outside won't do you any good. And look... they're already packed so tight they can't even move. If a villain attacks, they'll be sitting ducks!"

Chapter 57: Rescue

"What should we do now?!" Tetsutetsu asked anxiously, looking at the chaos unfolding in front of him as the crowd at the exit grew more and more frantic.

No one immediately answered his question. Kaminari, Momo, and Kyoka were all thinking deeply. In an emergency like this, it was important to stay calm and find a quick solution.

"I've got it!" Kaminari exclaimed after a moment, clapping his hands together as an idea struck him.

The sound drew the attention of the group, and he turned to Kyoka. "Do you have a music player on you?" he asked.

"Yeah, I do." Kyoka nodded and pulled out her small MP3 player.

Kaminari then shifted his gaze to Momo. "Can you create a boombox?"

Momo's eyes lit up as she understood his plan instantly. "You want to calm everyone down by playing loud music?"

"Exactly!" Kaminari confirmed with a grin. "The crowd is in complete chaos. We need something to snap them out of it and help them regain their composure!"

"Great idea! I'll get started right away!" Momo said enthusiastically.

Without hesitation, Momo began to roll up the sleeve of her uniform, revealing the spot on her arm where she could generate objects. Kaminari and Tetsutetsu immediately turned away, their faces flushing with embarrassment at the sudden movement—though, in the end, they realized they'd misunderstood her actions.

"Pfft—" Momo smirked at their reaction as she used her Quirk. A small tent-like structure emerged, covering her while she worked. A few moments later, she emerged from the tent with a sleek, white boombox in hand. It had a modern design, simple but stylish.

"Alright, let's go!" Kaminari urged as he handed the MP3 player to Kyoka, who quickly plugged it into the boombox.

"What song should we play?" Kyoka asked, looking up.

"Obviously, my song—'Hero'!" Kaminari replied without hesitation. "It's got a fast beat, perfect for the situation!"

Kyoka connected the player, and soon, the powerful melody of electric guitars and drums filled the air, booming from the speakers at full volume.

As Kaminari's song started playing, it seemed like they had grabbed some attention but not quite enough. Everyone's focus quickly shifted elsewhere.

It wasn't the music that caught their attention.

It was Iida.

In a surprising move, Iida had leapt into the air above the frantic crowd, his legs lifting as the exhaust pipes on the back of his calves began to release jets of air.

"Engine! Propulsion!!" Iida shouted, his body moving with precision as he soared over the crowd.

Kaminari's song suddenly became Iida's heroic background music, as all eyes turned to him.

"Seriously…?" Kaminari muttered, watching as Iida became the unintentional star of the show. "Wasn't the music supposed to be what grabbed everyone's attention?"

Iida, oblivious to the music, was in the zone. He felt like he was embodying everything his older brother, the hero Ingenium, would do in this situation.

"Be calm, be concise, be bold!" Iida reminded himself as he flipped mid-air, landing dramatically against the wall above the exit.

Coincidentally or perhaps fatefully his legs had landed right in front of the emergency exit sign. The green glow of the 'EXIT' symbol beneath him made it look like Iida was part of the sign itself, perfectly mimicking the little green figure pointing the way.

"What… is going on?" Kaminari said, utterly speechless. This was supposed to be his moment!

But Iida wasn't finished. Despite the awkward landing, he raised his voice above the noise of the crowd and even above Kaminari's song shouting with all his might.

"Everyone! Calm down!!"

Iida's voice boomed through the cafeteria, even overpowering the music for a moment. His commanding tone, paired with his bold actions, silenced the panic-stricken students. The once chaotic atmosphere shifted as everyone turned to listen.

"It's just the media! There's no need to panic!" Iida declared, standing tall. "We're students of U.A.—the top hero school! We need to act like it!"

As if on cue, the sound of approaching police sirens filled the air. The reassurance of the police's arrival, combined with Iida's words, helped restore order. The students began to relax, some even laughing in relief.

Kaminari, seeing the situation under control, nodded to Kyoka, and she turned off the music.

"Do you think playing the music actually helped?" Kaminari asked, scratching his head.

Kyoka, Momo, and Tetsutetsu shared a glance before looking back at Kaminari. It was clear from their expressions that the music had simply become Iida's dramatic background track.

"Well… maybe not in the way we expected," Momo said, trying to be diplomatic.

Kaminari sighed. "Yeah, I guess we just gave Iida his theme music…"

In the end, the situation almost turning into a dangerous stampede due to the reporters breaching U.A.'s security was handled thanks to Iida's quick thinking and... well, Kaminari's music, in a roundabout way.

Afterwards, U.A.'s administration took the incident very seriously. They began discussing ways to improve student safety and security, and decided to expand the number of entrances and exits to avoid such situations in the future.

However, Principal Nezu seemed more concerned with the damage done to the school's supposedly impenetrable 'Hero Gate.'

A gate that was meant to withstand the force of a tank had been easily breached by a group of overeager reporters.

"If they were villains, this would have been a declaration of war against us heroes," Nezu said ominously, staring at the shattered remains of the once-mighty gate. He knew a storm was brewing.

---

Back in Class 1-A, the students resumed their afternoon lessons, seemingly unfazed by the earlier chaos.

Interestingly, Midoriya, who had been elected class president, had a change of heart. Standing nervously in front of the class with Momo by his side, Midoriya insisted on stepping down and handing the position to Iida. Though his decision surprised many, it was quickly accepted.

With Iida officially promising to dedicate himself to the role of class president, Class 1-A's brief leadership crisis came to a close.

"Today's Hero Basic Training will be overseen by me, All Might, and one other teacher," Aizawa announced from the podium after class.

Sero raised his hand, asking curiously, "What's the training about?"

Aizawa wasted no time. He pulled out a small blue card with the word 'RESCUE' written on it in bold letters and held it up for the class to see.

"Today's training will focus on rescue operations, responding to natural disasters, floods, and other emergency situations."

"Rescue training, huh?" Kaminari's interest was piqued. It sounded far more engaging than the usual classroom lectures.

The rest of the class also perked up, clearly excited by the prospect of real hero training. After all, this was what they had come to U.A. for, not just the boring theory lessons of the morning!

Aizawa pressed a button, and the walls of the classroom shifted. From hidden compartments, the students' Hero Costumes appeared, lined up neatly for each one of them.

"The training ground is a bit far from here, so we'll be taking a bus," Aizawa informed them. "Prepare yourselves. It's time to begin!"

Chapter 58: Tetsutetsu's Combat Uniform and a Surprise

Within ten minutes, under the energetic command of Class President Iida, the boys and girls of Class 1-A, now dressed in their Hero costumes, boarded the bus arranged by U.A. High School in an orderly fashion.

It was the same bus that had taken them to the 'Seven Simulated Communities' during the entrance exam.

However, Midoriya was still dressed in his standard gym uniform. His Hero costume had been damaged during his fight with Bakugo and was sent to a sponsor company for repairs.

"Speaking of which, Kaminari," Tetsutetsu, sitting next to Kaminari, spoke up, looking puzzled. "All Might mentioned that your current combat uniform was made by your old sponsor, right? What about the new one from the current sponsor? Hasn't that come out yet?"

"Not yet, it seems," Kaminari said, looking down at his current combat uniform, a striking gold and white robe. "But honestly, I really like this one. It looks... pretty awesome, don't you think?" He grinned.

It was worth mentioning that just the night before, Kaminari had received a call from a company owned by Mitsui. They wanted to incorporate his gloves into a new Hero costume and asked for his approval.

Kaminari had consulted his father, called Mitsui for more details, and ultimately agreed to their request. According to Mitsui, they planned to use the blue crystal in his Denki gloves as the core energy source for the new suit. It seemed this energy-storing crystal was a unique invention of "I-ISLAND."

Kaminari then glanced over at Tetsutetsu's combat uniform, which resembled a Self-Defense Force uniform, and couldn't help but smirk. "Did you design that yourself? No offense, but it's kinda… ugly."

Tetsutetsu scratched his head sheepishly. "Actually, my dad designed it. It's made out of iron, so I can literally eat parts of the suit to replenish my iron levels. He also thought military uniforms were the coolest, so that's why it looks like this."

Kaminari didn't argue. "Military uniforms are the coolest"

But as he continued eyeing Tetsutetsu's uniform, another idea struck him.

"Hey, what if I designed a new combat uniform for you?" Kaminari suggested, leaning in excitedly. "I could make it super cool, like a military uniform, but way more stylish."

Tetsutetsu blinked, surprised by Kaminari's sudden burst of enthusiasm. "Kaminari…"

He hesitated for a moment but eventually gave in to Kaminari's eager expression. "Alright, sure."

"Of course!" Kaminari nodded, grinning widely. "Trust me!"

Kaminari couldn't help but imagine Tetsutetsu in a sleek, modernized military uniform. "That would look so badass," he thought, already excited about the possibilities.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the bus, Tsuyu and Kirishima were discussing Midoriya's Quirk. Tsuyu thought it seemed similar to All Might's Quirk, while Kirishima argued it couldn't be the same since All Might had never gotten hurt using his.

This made Kaminari glance over at Midoriya with a strange look. He had a bold theory about Midoriya's Quirk, but there wasn't enough evidence yet to support it.

"Could it really be the same power?" he wondered. If it was true, it meant they were in for some incredible and probably dangerous times ahead.

"Midoriya, I'll be watching you closely," Kaminari thought to himself, both intrigued and a little concerned.

The bus ride passed quickly, and soon enough, they arrived at their destination: a massive structure that resembled the Bird's Nest stadium from Kaminari's previous life.

"Students, I've been waiting for you!" A figure in a space suit greeted them enthusiastically at the entrance.

Kaminari blinked in confusion. He didn't recognize the person. "Who the heck is this?" Kaminari thought.

He spent so much time training and studying Quirks, and what little time he had left went into learning guitar. As a result, he wasn't very familiar with many Pro Heroes, aside from the really famous ones.

Fortunately, someone else knew who this was.

"It's the Space Hero: Thirteen!" Midoriya exclaimed, clearly excited.

"A Pro Hero who specializes in rescue operations during disaster situations!" Midoriya added, almost bouncing with enthusiasm.

"I love Thirteen!" Uraraka squealed, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Thirteen? That's their Hero name? What an unlucky number..." Kaminari thought, a bit amused but also unimpressed.

As Aizawa joined the group, Thirteen motioned for the students to head inside, as the training session was about to start.

"Please, come in!" Thirteen said, welcoming them inside.

The class followed Thirteen and Aizawa into the massive training facility. As soon as they stepped inside, everyone was stunned by the sheer size and complexity of the place.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa… I knew U.A. was impressive, but this is on a whole other level!" Kaminari muttered, looking around in awe.

The place was enormous, with different sections dedicated to various types of disasters. It was hard to believe this was just a part of U.A.'s campus.

U.A. was already massive, with its huge teaching buildings, cafeteria, swimming pools, and the expansive 'Seven Simulated Communities.' And now, this simulated disaster site...

Kaminari realized he might have underestimated U.A.'s true scale. "If U.A. is this impressive, what must the Hero schools in other countries be like?" he wondered, thinking of places like the U.S., China and Russia.

"The world is probably a lot bigger than I thought," Kaminari mused.

Thirteen began to introduce the facility with pride. "This training ground simulates all kinds of disaster scenarios floods, landslides, fires, storms, and more. I designed it myself!"

Thirteen spread their arms wide. "We call it the Unforeseen Simulation Joint!"

"The what?" the class mumbled in confusion.

"USJ!" Thirteen said, beaming.

The class couldn't help but share a collective chuckle at the cheesy abbreviation.

Aizawa, hands in his pockets, turned to Thirteen. "Where's All Might?"

Thirteen leaned in and whispered, "He used up all his power on his way here, so he's currently resting in the lounge."

"Of course..." Aizawa muttered, clearly not thrilled. "Well, we'll just proceed without him."

With that, Thirteen took over, explaining the purpose of the training.

"Unlike the combat training you did with All Might, today's session will focus on rescue operations. You'll learn how to use your Quirks to save lives during natural disasters and accidents."

"Your Quirks aren't just for fighting. They're meant to save people!" Thirteen said passionately. "I hope by the end of this session, you'll truly understand that."

Thirteen finished with a graceful bow. "Thank you for listening!"

The students, especially those familiar with Thirteen, erupted in cheers, clearly excited for the upcoming training.

"Thirteen's so cool!" Midoriya and the others gushed, looking like true fans.

Just as Kaminari was about to join in on the excitement, he felt something strange through his wireless earpiece. A strange frequency buzzed in his ear, setting off alarms in his head.

Moments later, the lights in the facility flickered and shut off, plunging the room into semi-darkness. The decorative fountains that lined the facility stopped working as well, and an eerie silence fell over the room.

"Something's wrong," Kaminari thought, his body tensing instinctively.

Aizawa's sharp eyes flicked toward the main fountain at the center of the room. In front of the fountain, a swirling vortex of black and purple energy began to form.

"What the...?" Kaminari whispered.

With a loud *pop*, the vortex expanded, and from it emerged a hulking figure made of dark energy. From its shadowy form, more figures began to emerge—strange, villainous-looking individuals stepping out of the void.

Aizawa's eyes narrowed dangerously, the intensity of a seasoned pro Hero flashing in his gaze. Years of fighting villains had honed his instincts, and this was no simulation.

"Everyone, stay together and don't move!" Aizawa barked, his voice sharp and commanding.

He turned to Thirteen. "You're in charge of protecting the students!"

The class stared in disbelief as more figures continued to pour out of the vortex.

"What are those things?" Kirishima asked, confused.

"Is this part of the training?" he guessed.

"No," Kaminari said, his voice low. "This isn't a drill."

Aizawa confirmed Kaminari's fears. "Those... are villains."

Kaminari's heart raced. He had been mentally prepared for this kind of danger when he applied for the Hero Course, but now that it was happening, he couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety.

"Is this really happening?" Kaminari thought, "...a real battle?"

Golden sparks flickered between Kaminari's eyes, his Quirk stirring in response to the adrenaline coursing through his veins. His hands crackled softly with electricity as he stared at the dark figures emerging from the portal.

"Come on, villains,"

Chapter 59: Disappearance

"Does thirteen have a Quirk similar to Eraser Head's?" the purple-black energy entity mused aloud, watching the teachers and students in the distance. His voice dripped with a sinister calm.

"According to the schedule we intercepted a few days ago, All Might should be here by now."

Aizawa's expression grew more serious. The situation was turning more dire by the minute, especially with All Might's absence. He began to suspect that they were in for a far greater challenge than anticipated.

"They must've made good use of the information they stole," Aizawa muttered, feeling a knot of dread forming in his chest. The villains were too prepared.

"Teacher, you're not forgetting about us, right?"

Kaminari's voice cut through the tension as he stared at the approaching swarm of villains with a determined smile. "We might not be able to take down the big boss, but we can definitely handle the minions!"

His words weren't just bravado, they were practical. Kaminari knew his limits. The head-to-heads with the main villain were meant for someone like Aizawa or, ideally, All Might. But dealing with the grunts? That was something they could handle.

"Although you're usually annoying, I have to say… not bad today!" Bakugo grinned viciously, small explosions popping from his hands as he eyed the villains. "Invading U.A. is the dumbest thing these idiots could do!"

Kirishima and Tetsutetsu, both hardening their bodies in sync, shared a knowing look. Their Quirks made them ideal for crowd control. A swarm of weaker villains was the perfect challenge to test their mettle.

But just as they were preparing to charge in, Aizawa shut down their excitement with a cold dose of reality.

"Get back!"

"What?!" Kirishima blurted, stunned.

"You're not ready for this fight."

Aizawa's voice was firm. He glanced at Kaminari, knowing the student was headstrong, but he couldn't afford to let them get ahead of themselves. "Don't even think about fighting right now. Use your Quirks to contact the outside world. That's your priority."

"Huh?" Momo asked, confused. "Shouldn't the school's alarm system have gone off by now? Wouldn't they already know about the intruders?"

Thirteen looked up at the ceiling, visibly troubled. "The alarms… they should have been triggered by now."

"Something's interfering," Todoroki deduced, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the villains below. "They must have someone whose Quirk is jamming the sensors."

Kaminari's face darkened. "It's more than that," he muttered grimly. "I've been trying to send out a signal with my communicator since the attack started, but it's being blocked. There's another wave covering the area, jamming all radio signals."

"That means someone among the villains is using an electricity-based Quirk to block communications," Kaminari continued. "And they're good at it, better than me, for sure."

He clenched his fists, frustration simmering beneath the surface. "If it's just another electricity user, I can deal with them. But if they're leagues above me in every way… we're in serious trouble."

Aizawa frowned, his usual calm now strained. He processed Kaminari's assessment quickly. "So, we're on our own for now," he thought, knowing they couldn't rely on backup.

He turned to Thirteen. "Get the students to safety. Then, find a way to contact the school."

"Understood, but what about you?" Midoriya asked, concern evident in his voice. "You can't take on that many villains alone! Your Quirk only works when you can erase theirs, but in a fight like this…"

Kaminari chimed in, "Yeah, sensei, you should let us help handle the smaller fry. You can't take on all of them at once by yourself."

Aizawa paused for a moment, as if considering their words. But then, he gave a sharp reply: "Remember, having one strong Quirk doesn't make you a Hero."

Without another word, Aizawa removed the bandages from his neck, his sharp eyes narrowing as he sprinted toward the growing horde of villains. His parting words echoed back to the students:

"This is the domain of Heroes. I'll leave the rest to you, Thirteen"

Kaminari's lips curled into a smirk. Aizawa hadn't explicitly allowed them to fight, but his message was clear: U.A. students had the right to use their Quirks freely on campus. And now, they were facing villains. This was no longer a classroom lesson. This was real.

"Good," Kaminari murmured. "Let's do this."

In the distance, Aizawa dove into the mob of villains with remarkable precision, neutralizing their Quirks one by one. His movements were fluid, calculated, a perfect example of a Pro Hero in action. The enemies fell before they even realized what was happening.

"Whoa…" Kaminari whispered in awe, watching their teacher dismantle the group. "So this is the strength of a Pro Hero..."

The others weren't far behind in their excitement.

"Alright!" Bakugo growled, sparks flying from his hands. "It's time to crush these bastards!"

Kirishima and Tetsutetsu were practically buzzing with energy, eager to dive into the action. They didn't notice, however, that some of their classmates like Mineta were pale with fear, frozen at the thought of facing real villains.

Kaminari, sensing the tension, approached the more nervous students with a calm smile. "Don't worry. I'm here with you."

"Thanks, Kaminari…" Kyoka and Momo, though still on edge, visibly relaxed at his words. Having someone exude confidence in a crisis did wonders to ease their nerves.

Just as Bakugo and the others prepared to charge into battle, the ground beneath them darkened, and a swirling vortex of purple-black energy suddenly erupted, enveloping everyone in its path.

"What the hell is this?!" Tetsutetsu shouted, scanning the ominous energy field.

"Nice to meet you."

The voice was polite, almost disturbingly so. A human-like figure made of purple-black energy appeared before them, introducing himself in an unnervingly calm tone.

"We are the League of Villains."

The figure continued as if this were a casual conversation. "We apologize for our abrupt visit to U.A. High. Our mission is simple: we're here to kill the 'Symbol of Peace,' All Might."

While the villain monologued, Kaminari's mind was racing. He was scanning the vortex for any weaknesses. Every Quirk, no matter how powerful, had its limits or flaws. The trick was finding them.

"If only I could test this guy with a good jolt of electricity…" Kaminari thought, frustrated. But there were too many of his classmates around. He couldn't risk hurting them in the process.

"Where does this guy get off talking so much?!" Bakugo's patience finally snapped. Without warning, he launched himself at the villain, his hand igniting in a violent explosion aimed directly at the figure's head.

"Boom!"

Kirishima and Tetsutetsu followed suit, charging in right behind Bakugo. A hardened hand chop from Kirishima and a steel kick from Tetsutetsu slammed into the villain's form, sending ripples through the purple-black energy.

"Got him?" Kaminari asked, shielding his face from the smoke and debris.

But from within the smoke, the villain's voice echoed again calm, almost amused.

"So dangerous, so dangerous!" the villain laughed. "You students have incredible potential."

The figure remained intact. Kaminari's stomach dropped as he realized the attacks had done nothing.

"He's immune to physical damage?" Kaminari thought, his fingers tightening around the coin he was holding. "Is this guy some kind of energy being?"

His mind flashed back to the Logia-type Devil Fruit users from the anime "One Piece." If this villain was anything like that, it would make things much more complicated.

Before Kaminari could process it fully, the villain moved again. The dark energy around him began to expand, growing more volatile. The sheer volume of energy created a wave-like force, far too much for Thirteen to absorb all at once.

"My mission is to scatter you and kill you one by one!" the villain declared, his energy surging forward.

"Everyone, watch out!" Thirteen shouted, but it was too late. The wave of energy was too powerful to stop, and in the blink of an eye, Kaminari and his classmates were swallowed by the vortex.

"Gotcha!" Kaminari acted on instinct, grabbing hold of Kyoka and Momo's hands. He pulled them close as the world around them twisted and warped.

Then, as quickly as the energy had enveloped them, the vortex dissipated. Sunlight streamed back into the space, but something was horribly wrong.

Iida and Thirteen looked around in horror.

"Everyone… they're gone."

Chapter 60: The Great Fear

Mountain Disaster Area

"Ah!!"

"They're here!!"

Two sharp female voices pierced through the air, the sound echoing across the rocky terrain. The villains, who had been teleported in advance, sneered as they looked up at Kaminari, Momo, and Kyoka, who were in free fall.

"This isn't good!" Kaminari thought, realizing the danger. Acting quickly, he activated his Quirk, his body surging with golden electricity. Twisting mid-air, he spread his arms wide, grabbing the panicked Momo and Kyoka, one on each side, pulling them close.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Just below them, a villain with two dog heads for hands grinned wickedly, ready to strike.

"Future Heroes? Even better!" he snarled. "Regret your choice to become heroes in your final moments, kids!"

With lightning speed, the villain's dog-like hands snapped toward Kaminari's legs, aiming to bite down hard.

"Get lost!" Kaminari yelled, kicking the villain square in the face, sending the snarling creature flying back. Using the momentum, Kaminari angled their fall toward a nearby hill.

"Crackling—"

"Ah!!"

"Ugh!"

A split second later, they landed hard on the ground, but with Kaminari's quick thinking and lightning reflexes, the impact was softened. The two dog heads groaned in pain as electricity surged through their bodies, leaving them twitching on the ground.

"Boom!"

The surrounding villains hesitated, eyeing the fierce dog-head villain who lay smoking and unconscious. For a moment, they were stunned, uncertain whether to advance.

"There's… a lot of them," Kaminari muttered, sizing up the situation. At least sixty villains stood before them, and although they'd just taken one down, the odds were far from favorable.

"Kaminari, we need to focus on defense!" Momo said, her expression serious as she quickly created a knife and staff for herself and Kyoka to use as weapons. Kaminari didn't need any his lightning was more than enough.

"Hmm."

Kaminari nodded, moving them slowly toward the mountain wall. "Stick close to the rock face. Momo, make more speakers and set them up in a semicircle."

Kyoka's mind clicked into gear. "You want to use my Quirk to amplify the sound and counterattack?"

"Exactly!" Kaminari replied, keeping his eyes on the villains.

"What about you?" Momo asked as she began forming the speakers.

"Me?" Kaminari grinned, the golden sparks dancing around him. "I'll buy you time."

With that, Kaminari launched himself forward, turning into a blur of electricity as he rushed toward the advancing villains.

"Be careful!" Kyoka called out, her grip tightening on the staff.

Momo didn't flinch, focusing on her task. She knew that completing the defense as quickly as possible was the best way to help Kaminari right now.

"You think you can handle us by yourself, kid?" A villain with four legs and massive arms charged at Kaminari, swinging wildly.

"Stop looking down on us, brat!" another villain growled, activating his Quirk to create a barrier of sharp spikes.

But Kaminari didn't flinch. He weaved through their attacks effortlessly, dodging the massive arms and spikes with lightning-fast movements. With a single electric-charged punch to the gut, he sent the four-legged villain flying. In a swift move, Kaminari leapt out of the encirclement, only to be surrounded again by more enemies.

The villains weren't prepared for Kaminari's speed and agility. In mere moments, more than a dozen of them lay unconscious, twitching on the ground from electric shocks.

But Kaminari knew he couldn't keep this up forever. His Quirk didn't generate electricity, it stored and released it. If he kept using up his power on individual attacks, he'd be drained before long.

"I need a better strategy," he thought, dodging another attack. "But I also need to buy more time for Momo and Kyoka."

Then it hit him.

After knocking another villain out with a lightning-charged fist, Kaminari glanced around. About thirty villains remained, but the time for hesitation was over.

"You're all done for if you keep coming at me!" Kaminari's voice dropped, the usual playfulness gone. His eyes burned with intensity. "Don't blame me for what happens next!"

Up until now, Kaminari had held back. He didn't want to seriously hurt anyone, but the reality was simple: if he showed mercy here, he and his friends might not make it out alive.

"I'm sorry," Kaminari thought to himself, his expression hardening. "But I'm not ready to fall here."

Without hesitation, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a simple one-hundred-yen coin. He flipped it into the air, catching it between his fingers with practiced ease.

"If someone has to be taken down…" he muttered, electricity crackling up his arm. "Then it's going to be you."

A ring of electricity formed around his hand, glowing brighter with each passing second. The villains immediately sensed the threat.

"What… is that?" one of them stammered, his eyes widening in fear.

"Not good! This is bad!" another shouted, terror flooding his voice.

Those closest to Kaminari could feel it—the raw, unfiltered power gathering in his hand. They could feel the danger radiating from him, sharp and palpable, like a blade pressed to their throats. Their instincts screamed at them to run, to flee, to do anything to get away.

But their legs refused to move.

Under the crushing weight of fear, their bodies froze. Despite the frantic orders in their minds, their limbs wouldn't respond.

They were paralyzed by the sheer force of the moment.

"Bah, bah, bah—"

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 61: Lightning Chain

In the next second, an electromagnetic beam shot forward, so fast that all anyone could see was the blinding golden light. It tore through the air, rocks, and everything else in its path before anyone could even react.

The result? A straight line of ten villains, all left stunned, their clothes singed and smoking, with the shockwave knocking them off their feet.

For a moment, the world went silent. The atmosphere dropped to freezing point as both the remaining villains and Kaminari's classmates, Momo and Kyoka stared in shock. The golden afterglow from the blast lingered in the air, making the scene all the more intimidating.

"Ding—"

Kaminari stood with a cold expression, looking at the villains, whose faces were now painted with fear. Slowly, he pulled another coin from his pocket and pointed it at another group of villains in a different direction.

"If you want to test your luck, step forward," Kaminari said, his voice icy and controlled.

The villains, drenched in sweat, didn't dare move. They hadn't expected a teenager to be this powerful. Their eyes flickered nervously between Kaminari and the ten unconscious bodies lying on the ground, all with their chests scorched and smoking, as if they'd been struck by an explosive force.

"Momo, make me fifty steel balls, now," Kaminari commanded, his gaze not leaving the villains.

"Huh?" Momo snapped out of her daze, startled by the request. "Oh! Right! I'm on it!"

Though she hurried to produce the steel balls, she and Kyoka couldn't help but glance at Kaminari's back. The golden characters embroidered on his robe seemed to shimmer in the wind, and for the first time, they both understood what it meant for Kaminari to call himself the "First Raikage."

Before they could process their thoughts further, a gruff voice broke the silence.

"That move he just used… it can only be done once, and only in one direction!"

The villains stirred uneasily. One of them had spoken up, challenging the others with his assumption.

But the rest of the villains were far from convinced. "You think we're idiots?" one of them spat, glaring at the speaker. "You don't even know for sure! You're just guessing! And you expect us to gamble our lives on that?"

Even if the assumption was correct, that Kaminari could only attack in one direction, no one wanted to be the unlucky target. One wrong move, and they'd end up like the ten corpses at their feet.

The speaker's words might have held some sway, but physically, no one dared to step forward. Their fear was palpable, and despite the tension, not a single villain made a move.

"Where are you hiding?" Kaminari thought, scanning the surroundings for the source of the voice. Whoever was speaking was smart—dangerous, even—and that made them a priority.

But before he could locate the source, the voice rang out again, this time filled with disdain and frustration.

"Have you all forgotten the gift the BOSS gave us?!"

The surrounding villains hesitated, visibly torn. Some of them wavered, but ultimately, no one took action. Whatever "gift" the voice was referring to, it wasn't enough to override their fear of Kaminari.

Suddenly, the ground beneath Kaminari cracked open with a loud *crunch*, and two powerful arms burst out from the earth, grabbing onto his legs.

"Kaminari!" Momo and Kyoka screamed in unison, panic flashing across their faces.

A villain, hidden beneath the ground, had struck. His hands, now clamped around Kaminari's legs, crackled with a surge of electricity.

"You forgot the gift, but I haven't!" the villain growled, his voice filled with hatred. "You're finished, kid!"

But instead of panicking, Kaminari's face broke into a grin.

"Why is he smiling?" a nearby villain murmured, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"He's… laughing!" another one exclaimed, horrified by what he was witnessing.

Indeed, Kaminari was laughing. Even as the electricity from the villain's hands surged through him, Kaminari barely flinched. He looked down at the villain's hands and chuckled.

"Ah, the level difference between us really is big—especially when it comes to Quirks…" Kaminari smirked.

The lightning coursing through him was absorbed into his body with ease. His Quirk perfect for dealing with any electricity-based attack allowed him to take in the current like it was nothing. In fact, it was recharging him.

"Thanks for the charge," Kaminari said, his voice low and dangerous. "But now, it's time for you to disappear."

With a crack of electricity, Kaminari released a massive surge of golden lightning into the villain's arms. The current traveled straight down to the masked figure still hidden beneath the ground.

"Impossible… my level—" the villain's voice broke into a blood-curdling scream.

For five long seconds, the villain convulsed, his body unable to withstand the intense shock. His wails echoed across the battlefield until, finally, he passed out, his body limp.

"How pathetic," Kaminari said, stepping over the villain's unconscious form. "You thought you were something, but you're just a lackey."

He continued walking forward, his eyes scanning the remaining villains. They had completely lost their fighting spirit.

"Momo, how's it going?" Kaminari called back without looking.

"All done!" Momo shouted, throwing a small white bag toward him. Kaminari caught it mid-air, quickly checking the contents.

"Perfect," he muttered, eyeing the dozens of steel balls inside. He then looked up, locking eyes with the remaining villains. A devilish grin spread across his face.

"Now… it's your turn," he said, his voice laced with anticipation. "Don't worry. You won't die… probably."

With a powerful twist of his waist, Kaminari spun in place. As he did, he sent a small jolt of electricity into the steel balls, charging them with a crackling energy. In one smooth motion, he hurled all fifty steel balls into the air, scattering them in every direction.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!"

The steel balls spread out, landing behind or beside the surrounding villains. Some of them looked down in confusion, sensing that something was wrong. They started to move, but it was too late.

"Chain Lightning. Three hundred thousand volts!"

Kaminari unleashed a torrent of electricity, more powerful than anything he had used before. The energy surged from his body, arcing toward the charged steel balls. The balls acted as conduits, spreading the electric current outward in all directions.

"Crack—crack—crack!"

"Ahhh!!"

The lightning tore through the battlefield, connecting each steel ball like a web of electrical fury. The villains caught within the circle screamed as the current surged through their bodies, their muscles spasming uncontrollably.

In an instant, the entire area within a twenty-meter radius was engulfed in golden light. Dozens of bodies fell to the ground, twitching as they were overwhelmed by the sheer voltage.

Kaminari stood at the center of the storm, his hair crackling with leftover electricity. His plan had worked perfectly.

He turned back toward Momo and Kyoka, who stood in awe.

"It's over…" he said quietly, watching as the last of the villains collapsed into unconsciousness.

Chapter 62: Friendship Between Men

The simulated disaster area, designed to replicate earthquake accidents, was a scene of chaos. Twisted buildings, cracked streets, and scattered rubble painted a grim picture. It resembled a post-apocalyptic wasteland, only without the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.

"Go to hell!!"

*Boom!*

A violent explosion erupted from the ruins of a broken building, scattering debris and sending unconscious villains flying.

*Thud!*

The bodies and rubble hit the ground with brutal force, the dull sound echoing across the desolate area. The carnage caused by the blast was clear to see.

"Damn, Bakugo's on a rampage!" Kirishima exclaimed, wiping the sweat from his forehead after landing a hard punch on a villain. He turned to watch Bakugo wreaking havoc nearby, using his explosive Quirk with reckless abandon.

Tetsutetsu, whose battle uniform was in tatters from fighting, frowned in agreement. "I thought I was one of the top guys in Class A, especially after Kaminari and Todoroki. But after fighting alongside Bakugo for just a few minutes, I realized—" he clenched his fists, "I can't beat that guy."

As much as he hated to admit it, the truth was undeniable. Even though Bakugo's personality was grating, Tetsutetsu had to acknowledge his strength.

"Damn it!" he growled, frustration boiling over. With a swift kick, he sent two villains crashing out of a window.

"I've been working so hard, so why do I feel like I'm falling behind?"

The battlefield calmed for a moment. The villains who had been swarming the three boys lay scattered on the ground, either unconscious or thrown from the building. The best those villains could hope for was a few broken bones, if they were lucky.

"Wow! What's with your kicks, Tetsutetsu? They're insane!" Kirishima said, genuinely curious. He'd noticed that despite their similar Quirks, Tetsutetsu fought differently from him.

While Kirishima preferred to go in with his fists hardened and ready, Tetsutetsu relied more on his legs. And when he kicked, villains flew like they'd been hit by a wrecking ball.

"Huh?" Tetsutetsu scratched the back of his head. "It's simple. They're weak, so it's easier to clear them out with kicks."

Inwardly, though, he thought, "Just wait until I master judo, I'll be a force of nature with my punches and kicks."

Despite his frustration, Tetsutetsu was satisfied with his leg strength. It was the result of endless practice, training his body at high speed day and night.

As the dust settled, the two boys noticed Bakugo moving outside the building, heading off on his own.

"Hey, Bakugo, where are you going?" Kirishima called after him, jogging to catch up.

"Hah?" Bakugo shot him a look of irritation. "Where do you think? I'm going after that teleporting b*****d. I'm gonna kill him!"

Kirishima groaned, shaking his head. "We're still in the middle of this, and you're acting like a kid!"

Bakugo ignored him, his face set in that familiar stubborn glare. Kirishima looked helplessly to Tetsutetsu for backup.

Surprisingly, Tetsutetsu nodded in agreement with Bakugo this time. "Actually, he's got a point. That smoke guy is the key to their movements. If we catch him, we stop them from getting away."

Kirishima blinked in surprise. "Since when did you get so thoughtful?"

Tetsutetsu shrugged, scratching his head. "After hanging around Kaminari for so long, I've picked up a few things. But if Kaminari's here, he's probably already figured this out. He's probably dealing with it right now."

"Didn't expect much from your iron head," Bakugo sneered, though his tone was more mocking than hostile.

"Tch, don't act like you thought any of this through," Tetsutetsu shot back, unbothered. "You're just following your instincts as usual."

"Whatever you say," Bakugo grumbled, not bothering to argue. He sprinted off, explosions popping from his palms as he shot forward.

"Bakugo!!" Kirishima called after him, frustrated at his friend's stubbornness.

"Let's go," Tetsutetsu said, patting Kirishima on the shoulder. He canceled his steel transformation, relying on his trained legs to close the gap. "We can't let him hog all the action."

Kirishima grinned, falling back into his regular form as well. "You got it!"

Though Bakugo led the way, the two boys were right behind him, their competitive spirits pushing them to keep up.

"Stop following me!" Bakugo barked again, his temper flaring.

Kirishima couldn't help but laugh. "We're not following you! We're going to find Kaminari!"

Tetsutetsu chimed in, "If I can figure out the black smoke guy is key, Kaminari's already miles ahead of us."

Bakugo snorted. "What are you, his lapdog?"

Tetsutetsu just smiled, not taking the bait. "I doubt you'd understand something like the 'friendship between men.'"

"Tsk, that's disgusting," Bakugo snapped, though his mind drifted to Midoriya for a moment. That idiot had always rushed in to help, even when Bakugo pushed him away. He shook the thought from his mind.

---

Meanwhile, Kaminari, Momo, and Kyoka had returned to the entrance of USJ, where they'd first been teleported.

"Thirteen!!" Momo gasped, spotting Thirteen's damaged spacesuit, now ripped open and useless.

"Kaminari! YaoMomo! Jiro!" Uraraka and Mina waved at them, their relief palpable.

Kaminari quickly assessed the area. Bodies of defeated villains were strewn about, but something was off. "Where's the smoke b*****d?" he asked sharply.

Shoji Mezo, the tall multi-armed student, stepped forward. "The black smoke disappeared after Iida made it out to get help."

Kaminari's eyes followed the direction Shoji was pointing, toward the far end of the battlefield. Through the haze of knocked-out minions, he could make out a dark figure—still moving.

The black smoke guy.

"Stay here. I'm going to help Mr. Aizawa," Kaminari said, his voice steady and serious.

"Kaminari, are you crazy?!" Momo called after him. "It's too dangerous!"

"Don't go alone!" Kyoka added, her voice filled with concern.

Kaminari gave them a reassuring glance over his shoulder. "We can't let Mr. Aizawa handle all of this by himself. Don't worry I've still got those fifty steel balls from earlier. I can handle a group fight."

"Steel balls?" Uraraka asked, looking confused, but Kaminari didn't offer any more explanation.

With that, Kaminari sprinted off, his speed leaving behind a golden afterimage. The words printed on the back of his robe—"The First Raikage" fluttered in the wind as if they had come to life.

Chapter 63: Finale?

"That's... class teacher Aizawa?!"

Kaminari, surrounded by crackling electricity, could already make out the scene ahead, even though he was still some distance away. His sharp eyes widened as he saw the bloodied figure of Aizawa-sensei pinned to the ground by a monstrous figure with an exposed brain. The sight sent a shock through his system.

"Did... did he lose? The class teacher…"

Kaminari had heard about how Aizawa fought off nearly a hundred villains by himself, and despite the overwhelming numbers, it still felt surreal to see the seasoned Heroes lying defeated in a pool of his own blood. After all, this was the man who commanded so much respect from his students.

He gritted his teeth and pushed himself harder, his body surging with electricity as he increased his speed by another 20%, despite the burning pain spreading through his muscles.

His eyes darted to the side and caught sight of a pale-haired boy, "Tomura Shigaraki" rushing toward Tsuyu and Midoriya by the riverbank. Panic welled up inside Kaminari as he realized how close Tomura's hand was to their faces. Even though he didn't know what his Quirk was exactly, he had a sinking feeling that nothing good would come of it.

"Please! Please let me get closer! Fifty meters... that's all I need!"

He was desperate now. Despite his earlier misgivings about becoming a Heroes, he knew one thing for certain: he couldn't stand by and watch his classmates suffer, especially not when he had the power to intervene.

He swore to himself, if he could just get within fifty meters, he'd shoot that silver coin on his fingertip straight through Shigaraki's head, without hesitation.

"Damn it! I'm too far—too slow!"

His heart sank as he saw Shigaraki's hand inch closer to Tsuyu's frozen face. The white-haired villain was mere moments from touching her.

*No!*

But then, Shigaraki's hand stopped, seemingly out of nowhere.

Kaminari blinked in confusion, only to realize the reason for the sudden halt. It was Aizawa, still conscious despite the blood covering his face, lifting his head just enough to activate his Quirk and erase Shigaraki's power.

"Cut it out, Eraser Head. You're really something else, huh?" Shigaraki muttered with annoyance, turning to look at the struggling teacher. But in the next second, Nomu's massive fist came down on Aizawa, slamming him back into the ground. This time, Aizawa lay still, unconscious.

*No!*

Midoriya's eyes flashed with anger and determination as he activated his Quirk, "One For All". His right arm glowed a brilliant red, and in an instant, he shot toward Shigaraki with everything he had.

"Put your hands down—!"

"SMASHHHH!!!"

The sheer force of Midoriya's punch created a shockwave that tore through the air, sending debris flying everywhere. The intensity of the impact was so great that the river nearby surged up like a tidal wave, crashing against the shore.

At the same moment, Kaminari reached within range, his eyes burning with the same determination. Without hesitation, he fired off his railgun, sending a golden beam of electromagnetic energy straight toward Shigaraki's head.

*BOOM!!!*

The combined force of Midoriya's punch and Kaminari's railgun sent a powerful shockwave across the battlefield. The ground trembled beneath them, dust and debris spiraled in the air, and the river's waves churned violently.

Even Kaminari, who had stopped his high-speed movement, was forced to brace himself against the violent winds. His platinum robe flapped wildly, nearly tearing off from the sheer force of the blast.

"...I've seen it before, but—man… where does all that power come from?" Kaminari muttered, his voice hoarse from the strain. He could barely comprehend the level of destruction Midoriya's punch alone had caused. It was like watching a missile go off, and he couldn't imagine how a kid their age could produce such a result.

As the dust began to settle and the wind died down, Kaminari's vision cleared, and he scanned the area.

"Is he dead?" he asked aloud, trying to see if Shigaraki had survived the combined attack.

There was no way anyone could survive both Midoriya's punch and a direct hit from his railgun, right? Even a seasoned Heroes would struggle to withstand such an onslaught.

But then, Kaminari's heart sank.

"It didn't work…"

Midoriya's voice trembled with disbelief as he stared at the towering figure of Nomu, standing unharmed in front of Shigaraki. The brain-exposed creature had somehow blocked both attacks, his monstrous body appearing completely unscathed.

"What… what the hell is that thing?"

Kaminari's eyes widened as the reality of the situation set in. That... thing had tanked both their attacks as if they were nothing. This was no ordinary villain. Midoriya's words from earlier echoed in Kaminari's mind:

"They've come up with a strategy to kill All Might, haven't they?"

Kaminari's chest tightened as he stared at Nomu. Was this monster specifically designed to take down the Symbol of Peace?

Shigaraki, who had been hiding behind Nomu's hulking figure, chuckled darkly. "That was quite a show, 'smash'... You must be one of All Might's little pets, huh?"

His mocking tone made Kaminari's blood boil, but then Shigaraki's attention shifted to him.

"And you..." Shigaraki's voice turned cold. "You almost killed me with that beam of yours. How ruthless for a Hero student."

Kaminari only smirked in response. "Ruthless? You must be new to this. If you thought I was playing nice, you're in for a surprise. Aren't you supposed to be a villain? Maybe you're just an intern, huh?"

The taunt stung Shigaraki, his expression darkening with anger. "Let's see if you can still talk like that after I'm done with you."

"Nomu! Get him!"

At Shigaraki's command, the massive Nomu abandoned Midoriya and the others, vanishing with terrifying speed as it charged straight at Kaminari. He didn't even leave behind an afterimage, it was as if he simply disappeared.

"So fast—way too fast!!"

Kaminari's heart pounded in his chest. He couldn't react in time. His eyes could barely track Nomu's movement, let alone his body. The monstrous figure loomed over him in an instant, and Kaminari knew he was out of options.

"Am I going to die here?"

*BOOM!!!*

Another explosion of air erupted as Nomu's fist slammed into the ground where Kaminari stood. Dust and debris shot into the sky, and the ground trembled from the force of the blow.

But something wasn't right. Shigaraki squinted through the dust cloud, his voice laced with confusion.

"What's going on?" he muttered, unable to see through the thick veil of dust.

Chapter 64: I am here!

"What… what's going on?"

Shigaraki's voice cracked with confusion as he peered into the smoke. He had expected Nomu to easily catch Kaminari, so the massive blast that followed didn't make any sense.

"Kaminari…"

Midoriya, Tsuyu, and Mineta stared at the swirling dust with bated breath, a sinking feeling gnawing at them.

"Is… is he dead?" Mineta's voice trembled, his fear escaping in a panicked whisper.

But before anyone could respond, an all-too-familiar, booming laugh echoed from the smoke.

"Hahahaha!"

"It's fine now!"

And just as the dust began to settle, a towering, muscular figure emerged, a symbol of strength and hope. Holding down the monstrous Nomu with raw power, All Might grinned, his teeth gleaming as he declared, "Because I am here!"

"All Might…"

Kaminari's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the man standing between him and certain death. For the first time, he felt what it truly meant to be saved by a Hero. All Might wasn't just a symbol of peace.

"This… this is what a Hero is…"

In that instant, Kaminari felt something shift inside him. He'd always known that heroes saved people, but seeing All Might in action, standing between him and a monstrous villain, he understood on a deeper level. This wasn't just about heroism—it was about hope. About being the person who could pull others back from the brink of despair.

"All Might!!" Midoriya shouted, relief and awe evident in his voice.

"Oh, you've finally come!" Shigaraki's eyes lit up with a twisted excitement. "The game… can really begin now!"

All Might quickly assessed the situation, glancing at Midoriya, Tsuyu, Mineta, and the bloodied figure of Aizawa lying on the ground. Guilt and frustration flickered across his face. He berated himself silently.

How scared these children must have been… How hard their teacher had fought, all because I wasn't here…

"Nomu!" Shigaraki's voice was impatient, signaling his creation to attack.

All Might's eyes widened as he felt Nomu's strength increase in an instant. "Kaminari, get back!" he barked, his voice filled with urgency.

Without a word, Kaminari pushed himself backward, activating his high-speed movement to put as much distance as he could between himself and the impending clash. He knew his limits. A battle at this level was beyond anything he could handle.

"!!!"

Just as Kaminari distanced himself, a massive shockwave erupted. He found himself stumbling backward from the sheer force, barely able to keep his balance. It was as if an invisible wall of pressure was pushing him further and further back, a testament to the raw power clashing nearby.

"Oh… my… God…" Kaminari muttered, staring at the ground where All Might and Nomu fought. One powerful over-the-shoulder throw from All Might had left a crater in the concrete, at least half a meter deep and ten meters wide.

Seeing it in person… it's insane. I thought I understood his power, but this is on another level.

As Kaminari processed the scene, All Might appeared beside him in a flash, carrying Midoriya, Tsuyu, Mineta, and the severely injured Aizawa. All Might's speed was nearly incomprehensible, he'd managed to retrieve everyone in the blink of an eye.

"Kaminari, take Aizawa-sensei and get everyone out of here!" All Might commanded, his voice stern.

Kaminari could only nod in stunned agreement. The sheer magnitude of All Might's strength and speed left him speechless.

In the distance, Shigaraki's hands trembled, his voice laced with frustration and envy. "This guy… this… is true power…"

"Fighting, rescuing… all at once. He's truly a symbol of strength," he muttered, his mind reeling from the display.

Kurogiri, the smoky villain who had initially scattered the students, reappeared next to Shigaraki. "Shigaraki Tomura, we should maintain our distance and let Nomu handle him."

But Shigaraki wasn't listening. His gaze was fixed on All Might, his mind whirling. "But he's weaker than I expected… Maybe the rumors are true. Maybe… All Might really has gotten weaker."

Meanwhile, All Might faced Nomu once again, his gaze steely. He'd already felt Nomu's unnatural strength and resilience. This creature was unlike any villain he'd faced before.

Let's see just how much you can take!

"Carolina… SMASH!"

A powerful blow connected with Nomu, sending shockwaves through the air. Kaminari, Tsuyu, and Mineta, who were retreating with the unconscious Aizawa, could only watch in awe. But as Midoriya turned back, something in his heart pulled him toward the battle.

"All Might… he's in trouble!" Midoriya's face contorted with anguish. He entrusted Aizawa to Tsuyu and Mineta and, without thinking, broke into a sprint back toward All Might. His eyes shone with desperation, even tears beginning to form.

"All Might!! I… I still have so much I need to ask you! You can't go down like this!"

Seeing Midoriya's reckless charge, Kaminari groaned in frustration. He had no intention of going back into that war zone, but there was no way he could let Midoriya run to his death.

"Damn it," Kaminari muttered under his breath. Activating his high-speed movement again, he darted forward, catching up to Midoriya and stopping him in his tracks with a swift but gentle shock to the back of the neck.

"Kaminari?!"

Midoriya's wide eyes filled with disbelief as he collapsed, unable to move. Tears spilled down his cheeks, his mouth open in silent protest.

"Why… why are you stopping me? Don't you see? All Might is going to die!"

Midoriya's eyes were filled with anger, desperation, and… a plea. He was begging Kaminari to let him go, to let him fight beside his hero.

But Kaminari shook his head. "I know you don't get it, but if you charge in there, you'll just make it harder for him."

Before Midoriya could respond, a massive explosion rocked the battlefield. Fire, smoke, and ice filled the air, covering Nomu in a haze. Out of the smoke came Bakugo's furious yell.

"Get your filthy hands off All Might!"

As the dust settled, Todoroki's ice crawled across the ground, freezing Nomu's legs in place. "I heard you wanted to kill All Might," he said coldly, directing his gaze at Shigaraki. "I came to see it myself."

"We're here too!" Kirishima and Tetsutetsu charged in, striking at Shigaraki from both sides. But Shigaraki dodged with surprising agility, his movements smooth and practiced.

"A symbol of peace can't be killed by lowlifes like you," All Might growled, his face a mixture of anger and resolve. He knew what these students didn't—this was far from over.

Kaminari watched from a distance, his heart pounding. He'd never felt so helpless. Despite the apparent advantage, he knew this wasn't a battle the students should be involved in.

Then he saw it—Nomu's mangled arm and leg were healing right before his eyes. The flesh and bone regenerating at an unnatural rate.

"What the… isn't his Quirk just shock absorption?" Todoroki asked in shock.

Shigaraki sneered. "Who said he only had one Quirk? This is Super Regeneration."

He pointed at All Might, malice gleaming in his eyes. "This Nomu was created specifically to take down All Might at full strength."

Kaminari's mind raced. If only I had mastered that technique… maybe then I could make a difference.

But now, all he could do was watch, a silent witness to a battle that had clearly exceeded his limits.

"Get out of here!" he shouted to his classmates. "All of you! You're just going to hold him back!"

Todoroki, Kirishima, and the others looked back at him, the realization dawning on them. This was no ordinary villain, and they were not equipped to face him.

Kaminari's voice cut through the chaos, steady but full of urgency.

"This… is a fight beyond any of us."

Chapter 65: Violence and Sequence

"Heh… hehe…"

All Might stood firm, panting heavily as he stared down Tomura Shigaraki. Fury simmered beneath his usually calm demeanor as he demanded, "You… don't you have any sense of restraint?"

Shigaraki shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, we're only doing this for our own people. Try to understand, hero."

He then gestured lazily towards Kaminari and Midoriya, a mocking grin on his face.

"Aren't you the same? Look at that little nobody over there; he was ready to punch me hard. With that strength, he could've easily killed me with one blow." Shigaraki's grin widened. "And that blond kid? He's the scariest one of all. Is he really from the hero course?"

"He actually tried to blow my head off. Such a cruel and cold-blooded guy seems more like a 'villain' than me, don't you think?"

Hearing this, Bakugo, Tetsutetsu, Todoroki, and the others involuntarily glanced at Kaminari. Shigaraki's words lingered, planting seeds of doubt as he continued his twisted monologue, his tone growing more fanatical.

"Violence used for others is praised as noble. But violence for yourself? That's called 'villainy,' right, hero?"

Shigaraki spread his arms wide, his voice growing louder as he faced All Might, who stood bruised and bleeding.

"This whole system, dividing people into 'heroes' and 'villains,' deciding what's 'good' and 'evil'—it's all built on lies! The so-called 'Symbol of Peace' is nothing more than a government puppet—a weapon to keep everyone else down!"

In his frenzy, Shigaraki spat out his conclusion with venomous conviction. "Violence only begets more violence! Killing you, All Might, will show the world the truth!"

There was a certain dark charisma in his words. Todoroki, Tetsutetsu, Kirishima, and others wavered slightly as his twisted logic resonated. It made a disturbing kind of sense.

Only Bakugo remained unaffected. He didn't bother with Shigaraki's words. To him, it was just noise. His intent to "kill" this villain hadn't diminished one bit.

But Kaminari wasn't having any of it. "Violence only begets violence?"

He scoffed, drawing everyone's attention, even Shigaraki's. "Yeah, that's true."

"Hm?" Shigaraki turned, momentarily taken aback. "Oh? So you agree with me?"

It wasn't just Shigaraki. Even Bakugo, Todoroki, and the others didn't understand what Kaminari was getting at.

Kaminari sneered. "I agree that violence leads to violence. But you don't need to 'prove' that to the world. Haven't you gotten it backward?"

He fixed Shigaraki with a disdainful look, like he was addressing a fool.

"How do you think heroes even came to be in the first place? Isn't it exactly because of people like you? People who abuse their quirks to hurt others, forcing those who want a stable society to step up and become heroes?"

Kaminari's voice grew colder. "You're the ones who messed up the order in the first place, you idiot!"

Shigaraki's eye twitched at the insult. "You…!"

Kaminari wasn't finished. He gave Shigaraki a pitying glance. "Everyone learns this in elementary school. What's the matter? Did you not go to school?"

Shigaraki's face contorted with rage. His speech had only been a means to an end, but Kaminari's words struck a nerve he hadn't expected. That last line, in particular, felt like a direct stab to his pride.

"Nomu!" Shigaraki hissed, his voice shaking with anger.

As if understanding its master's command, Nomu immediately rushed toward Kaminari, its hulking form disappearing in a blur.

But before it could close the distance, All Might intercepted it, grabbing Nomu by the arms and roaring, "Don't underestimate heroes, villain!"

With a mighty kick to Nomu's gut, All Might launched the monstrous creature across the field, sending it crashing into a wall with an impact that shook the ground.

"All Might!" Tetsutetsu gasped, awe evident in his voice.

"Looks like it's our time to step up," Todoroki said, his voice cold and determined.

"Yeah! Let's take this guy down!" Kirishima clenched his fists, ready for action.

But All Might turned to them with a firm expression. "Stay back!"

Todoroki frowned. "If I hadn't intervened before, things might've been bad for you."

All Might's voice softened. "That's different, Todoroki. But thank you."

He glanced at Todoroki with genuine gratitude. The young hero had saved his life, and he didn't take that lightly.

"Now, please," All Might said, standing tall, "watch as a real hero gets serious!"

By this time, Midoriya, who had been supported by Kaminari, had regained his senses. His expression turned frantic as he looked at All Might, worry plain on his face.

"But you're already hurt! And… your time…"

"Time?"

Kaminari caught the word, a sinking feeling stirring in his gut. If All Might had some kind of time limit on his power… then they were all in serious trouble.

He turned to Midoriya urgently. "Midoriya, what do you mean by 'time'? Is there something wrong with All Might—"

Before he could finish, All Might gave a reassuring thumbs-up, flashing his trademark grin.

"Don't worry! A hero's job is never done!"

Turning his back on the students, he refocused on Nomu. But in his mind, he kept count. One minute… that's all I've got left.

Shigaraki seemed to sense it too. "Nomu! Kurogiri! Let's end this now."

Kurogiri opened a portal near Shigaraki, ready to assist. Shigaraki turned his gaze to the students in the distance, his focus landing on Kaminari.

"I'll handle those brats."

"Alright, let's finish this!" Kurogiri replied, preparing to close the gap.

As they moved, All Might and Nomu's clash sent a massive shockwave rippling through the area, blowing everyone back, students and villains alike, with the sheer force of their collision.

"I am the Symbol of Peace!" All Might roared, his voice reverberating like thunder across the battlefield.

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 66: Society's Sacrifice
With All Might's furious shout, the force of his clash with Nomu erupted like a bomb. Shockwaves rippled outward, shattering the ground in every direction, leaving the area around them battered and broken.

Chunks of debris were hurled into the air, spinning wildly as they collided with each other, breaking apart into smaller, more dangerous fragments that whirled around the two titans.

Tomura Shigaraki, caught in the violent gusts, managed to flip and twist mid-air, landing gracefully despite the chaos. Bakugo, Todoroki, and the others, meanwhile, were thrown back, struggling to stay on their feet against the overwhelming force.

As for Kaminari and Midoriya, they were further away, so they only had to crouch down slightly, bracing themselves as the waves of pressure washed over them.

"Holy crap!" Kaminari exclaimed, watching the battle unfold in awe. "Is this real life or are we in Dragon Ball?!"

Even seventy meters away, all he could make out were blurry outlines of All Might and Nomu. Their arms moved so fast they were barely visible, even as afterimages. It was as if two giants were locked in silent combat at the center of a hurricane, their movements too fast for the eye to follow.

"This… this is the power of the top heroes?" Tetsutetsu stammered, watching the scene in disbelief. His usual confidence was shaken, and he looked to his classmates with wide eyes.

"Damn it, I can't even get close!" Shigaraki growled in frustration, looking toward All Might and Nomu with a mixture of shock and irritation. He clenched his fists, coming to a grim realization.

"Kurogiri," he said, his voice laced with a sinister edge. "Forget All Might for now. Teleport us over to the kids. Even if Nomu can't take him down, as long as we kill a single student, our mission won't be a total loss."

Kurogiri nodded, understanding the dark intent behind Shigaraki's words. Without further delay, his shadowy form surrounded Shigaraki, and they both vanished.

Kirishima, still bracing himself against the gale, looked around frantically. "What should we do? We can't even get close to All Might!"

"Like I know!" Bakugo snapped, furious with his own inability to make a difference. The frustration and helplessness gnawed at him, his fists clenched in anger.

"Kaminari was right," Todoroki said, eyes narrowed as he created an ice wall to shield them from the wind. "This isn't a fight we can interfere in."

Despite his calm words, Todoroki's mind drifted to someone else he'd been trying to outdo all his life. "Is this… the level of power you were chasing all along, Endeavor?"

"Look out!" Kaminari's voice cut through the chaos, sparking with urgency.

At that moment, Bakugo's reflexes kicked in. He spun around, instinctively raising his palm and firing an explosion directly behind him.

"Boom!"

The blast was deafening, sending smoke and flames billowing outward. Todoroki and the others shielded their faces, using their quirks to deflect the aftershock.

As the smoke cleared, Shigaraki stood there, smirking despite the surprise attack. He looked at Bakugo with a twisted grin. "Not bad. You sensed my approach without any warning. Impressive."

Bakugo glared at him with fierce determination, his voice dripping with malice. "You think you can sneak up on me? Try it again, and I'll blow you to pieces, you freak."

Kaminari and Midoriya arrived just in time to hear this exchange. With the strongest students of Class 1-A now gathered, they began to surround Shigaraki and Kurogiri, preparing for a standoff.

Shigaraki ignored Bakugo's threat and instead sized him up with newfound interest. "You'd make a great villain, you know? You're practically one already."

Bakugo snarled, "Shut up! I'll kill you!"

"Everyone, split them up!" Kaminari shouted, quickly assessing the situation. "We need to isolate him! Bakugo, keep that smoke guy busy! Tetsutetsu, Kirishima, support him!"

Bakugo didn't even bother responding. With a glare of defiance, he launched himself toward Kurogiri, explosions at the ready. "Don't tell me what to do, you damn spark plug!"

Todoroki, meanwhile, silently took Kaminari's orders to heart. He summoned a towering wall of ice, separating Shigaraki from Kurogiri and forcing them into two separate battles. The towering ice wall gleamed, and for a brief moment, Kaminari couldn't help but admire the sheer power Todoroki wielded.

The son of Endeavor sure knew how to make an entrance.

Todoroki glided back down on an ice slide, landing beside Kaminari. His expression remained stoic. "You wanted him isolated? Now's your chance."

"Right." Kaminari grinned, taking out a coin and aiming it at Shigaraki, who was now dodging Todoroki's icy onslaught like a ninja.

From behind, Midoriya was clearly overwhelmed. He shifted from foot to foot, looking between both battles, unsure where to lend his aid. "What should I do?!"

Kaminari didn't spare him a glance. "No clue. Just don't get in the way. Look for an opening if you see one!"

By this point, Shigaraki was only about ten meters away, closing in as he weaved between the ice structures. Kaminari knew he couldn't afford to wait any longer. He aimed, his eyes narrowing.

The railgun flashed.

A golden streak of energy cut through the air at lightning speed, but Shigaraki had already predicted the attack. He sidestepped just as Kaminari fired, letting the shot whiz past him and dissipate harmlessly into the air, leaving behind a faint scent of sulfur.

"Heh," Shigaraki sneered, extending his hand toward Kaminari. "It's just a fast bullet. As long as I can dodge it before you fire…"

His fingers reached for Kaminari's face, aiming to grip him with that deadly touch!"

Under the meticulous training of his 'master,' he had undergone countless combat drills. Relying on his own strength and experience, he believed he could easily defeat these kids who had just entered high school!

"Become a sacrifice in my quest to overthrow this society, kid..."

Chapter 67: Million Volts and Plus Ultra

"Kaminari!!"

Midoriya shouted, watching helplessly from a distance as Shigaraki lunged at Kaminari. A deep sense of frustration surged within him, knowing he couldn't protect his friends the way All Might could if he had full control over One For All.

"Boom!"

Shigaraki shattered the ice barriers Todoroki had created, breaking through with a single strike as his hand reached for Kaminari's face, a deadly glint in his eyes.

"I don't care anymore!"

At this critical moment of life and death, Kaminari could no longer think about Todoroki or anyone beside him. In order to protect himself, he discharged electricity from his entire body without hesitation, trying to force Shigaraki back.

With no time to lose, Kaminari activated his full discharge. "100,000 volts!" Lightning crackled and surged around him, surrounding his body with an intense electric field. He hoped it would be enough to force Shigaraki back.

For a moment, Shigaraki's advance slowed, his hand meeting the electric barrier Kaminari had created. But Kaminari's relief was short-lived; Shigaraki's hand continued to press forward, unaffected by the electricity.

The gloves! Kaminari realized. Those gloves were insulated against electricity. This wasn't just a random attack; they had planned for situations like this. Desperation kicked in as he struggled to think of a way to escape.

Just then, he managed to activate his High-speed movement, darting backward and grabbing Todoroki in the process. He pulled him out of harm's way, stumbling slightly as they landed back near Midoriya.

"Help me get him back on his feet," Kaminari said to Midoriya, pushing Todoroki toward him. He turned back to Shigaraki, still panting from the exertion.

Shigaraki tilted his head, watching them curiously. "What was that? Some kind of speed quirk? Or do you have more than one ability?"

Kaminari just sneered, trying to hide his exhaustion. "Wouldn't you like to know? Maybe if you'd actually read a book or two, you'd realize how out of your depth you are."

"Enough!!" Shigaraki's voice was laced with fury, his fingers twitching with deadly intent. He looked to Kaminari with an unsettling grin. "Now that your ice friend is out of the way, let's see how well you do alone!"

Shigaraki lunged again, and Kaminari acted fast. Reaching into his pocket, he grabbed the small pouch Momo had crafted for him earlier, containing fifty steel balls. He tossed them into the air, charging each with electricity, creating a shimmering barrier around them both.

"If you want me, you'll have to go through this first!" Kaminari taunted, lightning dancing around him as he activated his ability. "Chain Lightning — 500,000 volts!"

Electricity arced between each steel ball, forming a web of golden light that surrounded Shigaraki, trapping him in the center. As long as Kaminari kept supplying electricity, the barrier would hold, creating a cage of lightning. A slight smirk crossed his face. Let's see you dodge this.

"What—?!" Shigaraki hesitated, eyeing the electrified field in front of him. He'd never encountered anything like this before.

But Kaminari wasn't finished. Taking advantage of Shigaraki's pause, he rushed in, his body still charged with electricity. He leapt high above Shigaraki, lightning crackling around him, and extended his arms wide. His voice echoed with confidence and a calm fury.

"Feel the pain. Experience it. Accept it. Understand it. Those who don't know pain they will never understand true peace." He paused, looking down at Shigaraki with a fierce gaze. "One million volts!!"

With a roar, Kaminari unleashed the full extent of his power, a surge of blinding electricity crashing down like a thunderstorm. The entire battlefield lit up with a golden glow, bathing the surroundings in searing light and crackling energy. The air grew thick with the smell of ozone, the ground beneath them scorched by the intensity of the discharge.

Even Midoriya, several meters away, had to shield his eyes from the overwhelming brightness. He could feel the heat through his closed eyelids, hear the thunderous roar that filled the air. Across the battlefield, Momo, Kyoka, and the others looked on in awe at the electrified whirlwind Kaminari had created.

"That's… Kaminari?!" Momo gasped, her eyes wide with shock.

Not far from there, All Might was nearing the end of his battle with Nomu, his time limit pushing dangerously close. His muscles trembled with exhaustion, yet he stood tall, still determined to protect his students.

"Villain, do you know what it means to be a hero?" All Might's voice boomed with righteous anger, his face set in grim determination. "It means you go beyond… you push yourself further than anyone else."

He took a deep breath, focusing all his remaining power into his right fist. This would be his last chance.

"Plus… Ultra!"

With one final, devastating punch, All Might's fist connected with Nomu's chest, sending shockwaves that echoed throughout the building. The sheer force was unimaginable, causing flames and debris to erupt upon impact. Nomu was launched upward, breaking through the ceiling of USJ and vanishing into the sky.

All Might stumbled, his vision blurring. He could feel his body reaching its limit, steam beginning to rise from his skin. "In my prime, I'd only need five punches for that… but today…" He muttered to himself, grimacing. "Today, I lost count."

The shockwave of his final attack rippled through the USJ facility, shaking the other zones where the students were scattered. Tokoyami and Koda looked up, staring in disbelief as a hole was blasted through the ceiling.

In the fire zone, Ojiro braced himself as heat and dust washed over him, his tail lashing in reflex. "Was… was that All Might?!"

At the entrance, Mineta was sobbing uncontrollably, overwhelmed by both fear and relief. "He's… he's really here! All Might's really here! We're saved!"

Tetsutetsu, who was pinning Kurogiri down with Kirishima, looked up at the ceiling in awe. "The force of that punch… it broke straight through Kurogiri's defenses."

Kirishima, catching his breath, looked on with admiration. "This is what it means to be unbreakable! That's what I want to be, too… someone who can stand strong like All Might!"

Even Bakugo, standing in stunned silence, felt a shift within himself. As much as he despised feeling weak, watching All Might fight reminded him of why he wanted to become a hero. "This is the world of real heroes…"

Amid the dust and debris, All Might took a few unsteady steps back, his vision blurring. He was nearly at his limit. But as he glanced around, he could see that the students were safe. His mission was accomplished.

"All Might!"

Hearing Midoriya's voice, All Might turned to see the boy approaching, supporting Todoroki on his shoulder. Behind them, Kaminari stood, breathing heavily, golden sparks still flickering around him from his massive discharge.

"What… happened to you?" Midoriya asked Kaminari, his voice filled with awe.

Kaminari just smirked, swaying slightly as he tried to catch his breath. "I went… Plus Ultra."

Chapter 68: Sewage and Midnight

Just as Midoriya was hesitating over what to do next, he noticed something unsettling, villains who had been taken down by Aizawa-sensei earlier were now staggering back to their feet. Most of them seemed like brute types, with tough bodies that could withstand a beating.

These thugs, oblivious to the carnage around them, turned their bloodthirsty eyes toward Kaminari, Bakugo, and the rest of Class A. They let out wild cries and charged forward once more, undeterred by their earlier defeat.

What did Shigaraki and the League of Villains promise these guys to make them so… fanatically loyal? Midoriya wondered. He couldn't wrap his head around it. It was as though they'd been given something they were willing to die for.

The truth was, no one on the hero side knew. They couldn't possibly understand. Only those who were in the League understood what the "boss" had offered them.

"Purpose."

For those with Quirks who had been abandoned by society, those who felt invisible and discarded, the League provided a sense of purpose. For those who were born Quirkless, like Midoriya had once been, or who were frustrated with their seemingly weak Quirks, they offered an opportunity, a chance to gain power, a chance to evolve.

"Purpose" and "opportunity"—two words that were powerful motivators, especially when wielded by someone who had ruled the underworld for decades. They were more than enough to inspire fierce loyalty among the downtrodden, combined with the allure of his own powerful Quirk.

What should I do… what should I do?! Midoriya's mind raced as he glanced between All Might, who stood in the distance enveloped in faint wisps of steam, and Kaminari, who was still dazed from his short-circuited high-voltage attack.

Just then, Todoroki freed himself from Midoriya's support and gave Kaminari a complicated look, though his expression remained as stoic as ever.

"Good, then Kaminari's all yours," Midoriya said with relief, then sprinted toward All Might. Behind the towering ice wall, Bakugo and Kirishima held the line, with Tetsutetsu pinning down Kurogiri.

Suddenly, the loud crack of a gunshot rang out, drawing everyone's attention. More shots followed, each bullet finding its mark in the legs or arms of the villain minions, halting their advance.

"Finally… they're here!" All Might's tense expression softened in relief.

"I'm sorry we're late, everyone!!" came the voice of the Principal, perched atop Vlad's shoulder, with a group of other hero teachers fanning out behind him. "I called everyone who could respond immediately."

"Iida!" Uraraka's eyes widened with joy as she spotted her class rep standing at the edge of the group.

"Iida Tenya of Class 1-A, reporting for duty!" Iida's voice boomed, his enthusiasm clear as he saluted the Principal. His voice echoed across USJ, commanding everyone's attention and earning admiration from his classmates.

The booming announcement seemed to jolt Kaminari out of his short-circuited state. He blinked, quickly looking around and taking in the bewildered expressions of his classmates—especially Todoroki, who was watching him with an unreadable gaze.

Realizing what had happened, Kaminari felt his face heat up with embarrassment. He muttered to himself as he approached Todoroki. Then, leaning in close, he whispered in Todoroki's ear with a slight grin.

"If you breathe a word of this to anyone, I'll fry you."

Todoroki raised an eyebrow, unfazed, and stepped back. "Midoriya saw it too," he replied in his usual deadpan tone.

Kaminari's eye twitched. "Same goes for him! If either of you blabs, you're in for 'daily electrotherapy.'"

"Immature," Todoroki muttered, looking away as if Kaminari's threat wasn't even worth acknowledging.

With a sigh of resignation, Kaminari turned around, only to be met by another strange sight. A dark, foul-smelling sludge appeared out of thin air around Shigaraki and Kurogiri. The stench was so overpowering that Tetsutetsu, who had been holding Kurogiri down, instinctively let go and staggered back, covering his nose in disgust.

"What the…?"

Before anyone could react, the sludge fully enveloped Shigaraki, then vanished with a wet plop, leaving nothing but a lingering foul odor and damp stains on the ground. The same thing happened to Kurogiri on the other side of the ice wall, as he disappeared right in front of Cementoss, Bakugo, and the others.

"Well, that's just great," Kaminari muttered, scratching his head. "Seems like every villain these days has some kind of teleportation Quirk."

At that moment, a voice addressed him from nearby. "Did you cause all of this?"

Kaminari turned to see the sultry, whip-wielding hero Midnight watching him with an intense gaze. Her eyes were fixed on the scorched ground where Kaminari had unleashed his million-volt attack, a patch of earth that now lay blackened and lifeless.

"Uh… yeah, that was me," Kaminari replied, somewhat sheepishly. He glanced at the charred area, still littered with the remnants of his steel ball arsenal.

Midnight's gaze lingered on the destruction for a moment before her lips curved into a smirk. "Kaminari… you're stronger than I expected."

Kaminari shrugged, his usual bravado returning. "Well, I try."

Midnight's expression shifted, her tone turning serious. "But remember, strength is only valuable if it's used responsibly. Power like yours… if it's misused, it can lead to serious consequences."

"Understood." Kaminari nodded, appreciating her words of caution.

But then, to his surprise, Midnight's expression softened into a sly smile. "By the way… what's your phone number?"

"...Huh?"

Chapter 69: Shadows and News

In a darkened room somewhere in Japan, dozens of monitors cast a flickering glow, illuminating the area with an eerie light.

Plop.

Plop.

Two foul-smelling puddles of sludge splattered onto the ground, each depositing a battered figure—Tomura Shigaraki and Kurogiri.

"I never thought this new Quirk would first be used to save you two."

A tall, shadowy figure turned in his swivel chair, his gaze settling on the scorched, beaten form of Tomura. His voice was low and rasping, laced with disdain.

He surveyed Tomura's injuries, taking note of the blackened burns covering his body.

"Electric burns?"

"Not exactly."

A man in a lab coat stepped forward from the shadows, his glasses glinting ominously as he examined Tomura with a detached, clinical air. "It's more likely he was hit by a high-voltage electric discharge. Fortunately, his combat suit absorbed some of the damage. He'll live."

"Electricity..." The shadowy figure paused, pondering. "There are no pro heroes with lightning-type Quirks that come to mind."

He turned his gaze to Kurogiri, who seemed weakened but intact, his misty form swirling slowly.

"Tell me what happened."

Kurogiri, casting a brief glance at Tomura being taken away by the doctor, gave a respectful nod. He began recounting the events at U.A., detailing the chaos, the unexpected resistance, and the near-fatal encounter with the students.

---

Meanwhile, back at U.A. High School, the situation was still in flux.

Midnight's unexpected request had left Kaminari at a bit of a loss. After some negotiation, he'd finally agreed to join her for the occasional morning jog. In truth, he didn't want to. He'd been using those early morning hours in Omiya Park to test and refine his Quirk abilities away from prying eyes.

But Midnight had assured him her time was limited, that she could only run for about thirty minutes each day, and often not every day. She'd need to leave by 5:30 to fulfill her own obligations. Given her understanding, Kaminari had reluctantly accepted.

Fifteen minutes after Midnight and the students had left, a swarm of police cars surrounded the facility, flashing lights reflecting off the walls of the building. And, as expected, a crowd of reporters had followed close behind, their cameras and microphones ready for action. They were like sharks scenting blood in the water.

But today, the police weren't in a cooperative mood. They established a perimeter around U.A. and flatly refused to let any of the reporters get closer.

"We're issuing a strict warning," a police officer announced to the gathered media. "Any attempts to bypass the perimeter will result in your immediate removal and possible charges. Consider yourselves warned!"

The reporters, surprisingly, complied without much resistance. In fact, they looked positively thrilled.

An attack on U.A. High School by villains, during a student training session no less? This was headline news. The reporters could already imagine tomorrow's papers flying off the shelves, and the bonuses waiting for them as a reward.

They were content to wait. Once the police and heroes emerged, they'd pounce, snapping photos and shouting questions. Getting even the briefest quotes or shots of the teachers or police officers would be enough to write their initial stories. They could fill in the details later.

Inside the gates of U.A., police officers and hero teachers were working in tandem to round up the defeated villains, who were now being led out in handcuffs toward waiting police vans. The sight of the shackled villains being led to the convoy sent a ripple of excitement through the reporters, who began snapping photos in a frenzy.

Flash. Flash.

The gate of U.A. lit up under the barrage of camera flashes, capturing the villains' defiant or downcast expressions as they were marched away. The newer police officers found themselves squinting under the bright lights, not yet accustomed to the blinding glare of the press.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the facility, Principal Nezu and the teachers were overseeing the students as they boarded the buses. Reporters weren't allowed on this side, thanks to the police blocking all access points.

"Sixteen, seventeen, eighteen, nineteen…" Detective Naomasa Tsukauchi muttered to himself, counting the students as they exited the building.

"Looks like everyone's accounted for, except for Midoriya, who's being treated for his leg injuries," he confirmed, sighing in relief. He and Officer Sansa Tamakawa, the cat-headed officer, exchanged a glance, each clearly relieved. If there had been even one casualty, they'd be facing an unimaginable level of scrutiny and pressure.

"Let's allow the kids to head back," Detective Tsukauchi decided, waving his subordinates back. "They've been through enough for today. We'll question them another time if necessary."

Officer Sansa nodded, watching the students with a somber expression. "Hero society almost made a grave mistake today."

Nearby, Ashido, Uraraka, and the other girls clustered together, asking after Aizawa-sensei and Thirteen. When they learned both teachers would make a full recovery despite their injuries, a collective sigh of relief spread through the group. Both Aizawa and Thirteen had risked everything to protect them, and the students felt a renewed sense of gratitude toward their teachers.

Just as they lined up to board the buses, Principal Nezu emerged with Midnight and the Sniper hero beside him. Detective Tsukauchi quickly approached them.

"Principal, as a precaution, we'd like permission to search every corner of the school."

Nezu nodded without hesitation. "Of course. Though some teachers may voice concerns, I believe your presence here is important. And searching is what you officers do best, after all."

Detective Tsukauchi smiled, appreciative of Nezu's cooperation. He turned to Officer Sansa. "Arrange a full search of the campus, immediately."

By the time Kaminari and the others finally returned to U.A., the sky was awash with the colors of sunset, casting a beautiful orange glow over the campus.

Despite the breathtaking view, most students were simply exhausted. Having faced life-and-death situations, all they wanted was to go home, find some peace, and recover. Even Kaminari, who usually had training plans or study sessions with Momo after school, was too drained to think about anything else.

Dragging himself through his front door, Kaminari barely had time to call out before he found himself wrapped in a tight hug from his mom, who had rushed over from the living room. His dad followed closely behind, visibly shaken.

"My baby, are you okay?" his mother cried, looking him over frantically. "Are you hurt anywhere? Let me see!"

Chapter 70: Family and Fighting

Kaminari looked at his mother, who was crying, and hugged her tightly, concern evident in his gaze as he glanced over her worried expression. He spoke softly, feeling a pang of guilt.

"You already know, huh?"

"Yeah, we got a call from U.A. about an hour ago..." His father sighed, then looked over at his wife. "Your mom was so worried she was ready to book a flight and head straight there."

At that moment, his mother looked up with an almost pleading expression. "Son, maybe it's time to leave this hero stuff behind. Wouldn't it be nice to just sing and paint instead?"

Kaminari fell silent. He understood his mother's concerns, but he wasn't ready to give up on U.A. so easily.

It wasn't that he had some desperate need to be a "hero," but he'd come this far, and he at least wanted to pass the licensing exam.

And... he found he actually enjoyed the thrill of fighting.

"Ah, I figured you'd feel that way," she said softly, resigning herself. "Forget it... do what you want."

But then, his mother looked him straight in the eyes and said, "Just promise me you'll stay safe. Promise me that nothing bad will happen to you!"

"You have to understand, son—your life isn't just your own anymore!"

"Promise me, okay?"

At her words, Kaminari could no longer hold back his emotions. He hugged her tightly, his voice choked with emotion. "I promise, Mom. I'll be safe. I promise."

"Alright, let's head back to the living room to calm down," his father said, voice trembling as he struggled to keep his own emotions in check. "We'll have dinner, and our son can rest afterward. We can talk about everything else tomorrow."

As the head of the family, Kaminari's father felt he needed to stay composed. If he lost his cool, the whole family would fall apart.

Later that evening, they received another call from U.A. The school informed them that Class 1-A would have a day off tomorrow, with regular classes resuming the day after. This small gesture seemed to soothe the parents' concerns somewhat, it showed that U.A. was at least trying to be considerate of their feelings.

U.A.'s strong reputation over the years was enough to earn the benefit of the doubt. They were just relieved their son had come home safe.

The next day, Kaminari skipped his usual morning jog and study session, while his father stayed home from work. The family spent the day together, enjoying homemade side dishes prepared by his mother and watching TV.

However, the news was filled with reports of heroes being attacked, and Kaminari even spotted a few short clips featuring himself and his classmates.

He couldn't help but wonder how those reporters managed to get those photos of him and the others.

It seemed that his classmates were in similar situations. Most parents had chosen to comfort their shaken children with warmth and affection. Surprisingly, it was effective by the end of the day, many were already laughing and chatting about the events of the day before.

On the third day, Kaminari met up with Tetsutetsu, and they took the Shinkansen back to U.A. Together. As they entered the classroom, they saw that Uraraka, Midoriya, Bakugo, Jiro, and Tokoyami were already there.

"Yo, Kaminari!"

"Tetsutetsu!"

"Good morning, everyone!"

Kaminari greeted them cheerfully, heading to his seat. As he settled in, he leaned over to Midoriya and whispered, "By the way, you better forget everything you saw yesterday!"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

Midoriya blinked in confusion, but then Kaminari's strange expressions and behavior from yesterday came rushing back to his mind. With an awkward laugh, he quickly reassured him, "Don't worry, I... I won't tell anyone."

"Good. I'd hate for you to experience a 'million-volt' reminder," Kaminari chuckled, patting Midoriya on the shoulder.

"A-ah! No need, I get it!"

Midoriya nodded in a flustered panic. He'd been standing closest to Kaminari yesterday, and he was all too aware of the terrifying power of Kaminari's 'Million Volt' move.

As the classroom filled up, everyone naturally began chatting and exchanging greetings. However, soon, an unspoken understanding passed through the room, and a quiet anticipation settled over the students.

It was time for class, but they all had one question on their minds: Who would be their homeroom teacher today? Aizawa-sensei had been hospitalized after the recent attack.

Their questions were soon answered when the door opened, and a bandage-wrapped figure walked in, surprising everyone.

"Good morning..."

"Aizawa-sensei!!"

"Isn't that recovery a bit too fast?"

"More like too dedicated, if you ask me."

Iida, the class rep, raised his hand and asked loudly, "Teacher, are you alright?"

"Does he look alright?" Uraraka muttered from her seat behind Iida, her voice tinged with concern.

Despite his injuries, Aizawa made his way up to the podium with calm steps. His voice was steady, if a bit hoarse.

"Whether I'm alright or not isn't important. What matters is that the fight isn't over yet."

His words immediately captured everyone's attention. Mineta, the most nervous among them, looked particularly pale, fearing another villain attack.

"The U.A. Sports Festival is coming up."

With those words, the heavy atmosphere lifted, and excitement sparked through the room. Even Kaminari couldn't help feeling a surge of anticipation. He'd been in this world long enough to know just how important the U.A. Sports Festival was.

"Finally! It's happening!" Kirishima jumped up, slamming his hands on the desk. "A true school-wide event!"

Kyoka raised a skeptical eyebrow. "But, sensei, we were just attacked by villains. Is it really safe to hold a sports festival right now?"

"Yeah, what if they attack again?" Ojiro asked cautiously.

"Then we'll crush them!" Bakugo growled, fists clenched with a fierce glint in his eyes.

Aizawa, looking rather tired, lifted his right arm encased in plaster. "Quite the opposite, actually. The school intends to use this sports festival to show the world how effective our crisis management system is."

He continued, "I heard security will be five times stronger than in previous years."

Raising his head slightly, he looked out over his students, his injured eyes trying to focus.

"More importantly, the U.A. Sports Festival is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all of you. We can't just cancel it because of a few villains."

"Besides," he added, "our sports festival is a major national event in Japan. It's not something the school can just decide to cancel."

Aizawa went on to explain some basic information about the upcoming festival a standard briefing, really—and soon after, class was dismissed.

Even as they left the classroom, Kirishima, Bakugo, and a few others were still buzzing with excitement.

"Early April, huh? That's only a month to prepare!"

Thinking it over, Kaminari turned to Tetsutetsu. "Hey, want to start sparring together to get ready?"

Tetsutetsu scratched his head, looking a little embarrassed. "I might not have time in the afternoon. My judo instructor, Mr. Daimon, has been starting formal lessons recently."

After a pause, he added, "But I'm free in the morning if that works."

Kaminari shook his head. "Nah, you should use the mornings to get more rest. If you're practicing late, you'll need all the quality sleep you can get."

"But what about you?" Tetsutetsu asked, concerned.

Kaminari simply shrugged. "Don't worry about me. I was training on my own before I even met you."

With that, he glanced down at his right hand, a thoughtful look crossing his face.

"Besides... that move... it's almost ready..."

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 71: The Fire and Meeting the Parents

In the days that followed, Kaminari's life returned to normal.

Every morning, he woke up early and took the subway to Omiya Park for his usual morning jog. Sometimes, he was joined by Midnight-sensei, but as she'd told him before, she wasn't the type to push him hard. She kept her word, too—if she said they'd stop at 5:30, they'd stop at exactly 5:30, not a minute more. When time was up, she'd just give him a nod and head off without him needing to say a word.

This made Kaminari grow quite fond of her as a teacher.

Moreover, during their jogs, he'd pick up tidbits about Hero laws from Midnight, along with tips on handling various emergencies without using his Quirk. Though it might seem trivial to some, Kaminari knew that this knowledge could be a game-changer in a crisis.

Meanwhile, with the efforts of pro heroes and the police, the media frenzy about the "hero attacks" started to die down, gradually being washed away by other news stories. Sure, a few people still whispered about it here and there, but it no longer dominated headlines. If anyone took the time to think about it, they'd remember, but for most people, it was a closed chapter. After all, no one had died in the incident—no students, no teachers. If that had been the case, the story would've been much different.

As the buzz around hero attacks faded, a new craze took over the Japanese entertainment scene: "Aim to Be a Pokémon Master," a song Kaminari had released with his Pikachu Band.

To be fair, it wasn't that the song was some musical masterpiece. The hype was largely thanks to a brilliant marketing campaign. After all, Kaminari's band had the backing of two major partners:

Mitsui and the Yaoyorozu family.

These two titans of industry weren't exactly entertainment-focused, but with their massive financial resources, they could make anything popular with the snap of their fingers.

And now, the two of them had joined forces.

The results were immediate and overwhelming. Almost every major website in Japan was plastered with photos of Kaminari, Kyoka, and Momo, along with eye-catching ads for the song. And as the cherry on top, it was promoted as the official theme for Pikachu's new anime, Pokémon.

The marketing team was clever. Framing the song as part of the "Pokémon" launch not only promoted the song itself but also built up anticipation for the anime.

Soon enough, Japanese netizens were looking at the posters featuring Kaminari and Pikachu, surrounded by various adorable Pokémon, and humming along to the catchy tune of "Aim to Be a Pokémon Master." People who hadn't been particularly interested in the anime found themselves curious about Pokémon.

To fan the flames even further, Kaminari's father smartly posted sneak peeks and character designs of new Pokémon on the company's official website, keeping the hype alive.

The results? Kaminari was famous. Kyoka was famous. Even Momo was famous.

This wasn't just a small spark—it was a full-blown wildfire, especially in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. Their faces could be seen everywhere, from subway stations to billboards. Mitsui and Yaoyorozu were clearly sparing no expense. When companies that size decide to back something, they don't hold back. They go all out.

Nowhere was this more apparent than in Akihabara, Japan's otaku hub. Although the anime hadn't even aired yet, the streets were already filled with claw machines stocked with Pokémon plushies. These cute Pokémon characters were already drawing crowds.

The machines had four plushie options: Charmander, Squirtle, Bulbasaur, and, of course, Pikachu. Unlike the others, though, Pikachu was a rare find—just one per machine.

It seemed that even the Japanese knew how to play up exclusivity.

Everywhere you looked, posters of the Pokémon anime lined the streets, and "Aim to Be a Pokémon Master" played in a constant loop. By the end of a few days, even casual passersby could hum parts of the song.

All that was left was the official release.

Finally, the big day arrived. It was Saturday, and Kaminari's father and Mitsui had decided to premiere the anime over the weekend. Two episodes would air on Sunday, and after that, it'd be one episode every Saturday.

Around noon, Kaminari decided to skip his usual cafeteria lunch and headed to Kyoka's house instead. He was going to meet someone important.

"Hello, ma'am!"

The moment he followed Kyoka inside, Kaminari was greeted by her mother, a striking woman with purple hair and an artistic air. She had the same distinctive ear-jack earlobes as her daughter, and Kaminari bowed respectfully as he greeted her.

"Welcome!"

Kyoka's mother adjusted her glasses and smiled warmly. "You must be Kaminari Denki, my daughter's band leader."

"My little Kyoka always talks about you."

Kaminari couldn't help but glance at Jiro beside him, surprised.

"M-Mom!!"

Kyoka's face turned a deep shade of red as she spluttered, "Don't say things like that!"

It was clear that, for all her tough exterior, she was still a bit of a shy girl in front of her mom.

"Alright, alright, come in," her mother chuckled, leading them inside. "Kazama's already upstairs."

"Is he?" Kyoka raised an eyebrow, her embarrassment quickly replaced by her usual confidence. "So why isn't he down here already?"

Her mother just chuckled, glancing at Kaminari with a knowing look. "He's about to face the most important interview of his life, or so he thinks. He's upstairs in your room, playing the piano to calm his nerves."

"Playing the piano to relieve stress?" Kaminari couldn't help but smile to himself, finding the situation amusing. He gestured for Jiro to lead the way up to the second floor. Her mother, meanwhile, went to the kitchen, saying she'd prepare some snacks.

As they approached Kyoka's room, Kaminari could hear the faint sound of an electronic keyboard playing "Aim to Be a Pokémon Master."

"Huh… I wonder if that's a coincidence or if he's really trying to make an impression." Kaminari thought with a smirk and motioned for Jiro to open the door.

Creaaak—

As the door opened, Kaminari's smile froze. It wasn't that the playing was especially good or bad—it was the sheer volume.

"Come on in!" Jiro grabbed his arm and quickly pulled him inside, closing the door behind them to muffle the noise.

"Ugh, what's up with Kazama? He's copying my worst habit—cranking the volume all the way up…" Kyoka muttered, looking annoyed as she glanced at the blue-haired boy who was completely engrossed in the music.

Kaminari sighed, leaning close to Jiro's ear. "Should we let him know we're here? We don't have much time."

"Ehh… I don't know…" Kyoka replied, leaning back towards him with a sigh. "Kazama's… well, he's a gentle soul. A bit too kind for his own good, really. But when he gets mad… he really gets mad."

Luckily, it seemed Kazama was finishing up. As they waited, the last few notes of the song trailed off, and the blue-haired boy finally took his hands off the keyboard.

As he looked up, his gaze landed on Kaminari and Kyoka, who stood there looking a little too close for comfort.

But Kazama, dressed in his black school uniform with blue hair and piercing blue eyes, seemed to see only one person.

"Kyoka!"

Chapter 72: Promise and Flowing Clouds

Kyoka smiled at Kazama's eagerness, and once he was standing in front of Kaminari, she raised a hand to formally introduce them.

"Kaminari, this is the keyboard player I recommended to you, Kazama Gin. He's a first-year student in the Hero course at Seijin High School."

Then she turned to Kazama. "And this is—"

Kaminari waved his hand, stepping forward with a friendly grin and offering a handshake. "Kaminari Denki, first-year Hero course student at U.A. High. Nice to meet you."

"Ah, hello."

Kazama glanced at Kaminari's hand, hesitated for a brief moment, then shook it with a gentle, almost refined touch, giving off a calm and graceful vibe.

He seemed different from earlier when he'd greeted Kyoka—there had been an undeniable spark of excitement in his eyes when he saw her. But now, facing Kaminari, his expression was subdued, showing only a polite curiosity.

"Alright, now that the introductions are done, let's get straight to the point," Kaminari said, stepping past Kazama and moving to stand near Kyoka's electronic keyboard. He glanced around the room, taking in its cozy atmosphere. "I'm guessing you're on a bit of a time crunch too, right?"

Kazama nodded, getting to the heart of things. "You've already heard me play, and I really admire the songs you've written. I'd be thrilled to join the Pikachu Band."

Kaminari didn't answer right away, instead shifting gears with an unexpected question. "I heard from Kyoka that you're not actually interested in becoming a professional hero. So why did you apply to the Hero course in the first place? And when you didn't get into a top school, you still chose the Hero course at Seijin?"

Kazama's expression shifted slightly. He glanced at Kyoka, who stayed silent, and then looked back at Kaminari.

"I'm really not interested in being a hero," he admitted. "I only took the exam because Kyoka wanted to. For me, it didn't matter whether I ended up in the general studies program or the Hero course."

Inwardly, he thought, The real reason is because it gave me another thing in common with Kyoka. But... I didn't pass the U.A. entrance exam, so here I am.

Kaminari sighed. "I see. So that's probably why you didn't pass the U.A. exam, and why your grades in the Hero course at Seijin aren't great."

He looked at Kazama thoughtfully. "You've never focused on strengthening your Quirk, and you don't care about getting a Hero license, right?"

Kazama's face soured slightly. "Pretty much. My dream is to be a famous musician. Instead of wasting time on Quirks, I'd rather spend it listening to music and practicing."

"Does this have anything to do with joining the band?" he asked, clearly a bit irked.

"Actually, yes, it does."

Kaminari nodded, speaking as if it were obvious. "Because this 'Pikachu Band' isn't just some ordinary band."

"Huh?" Kazama blinked in confusion. What did he mean, 'not an ordinary band'?

"Don't you get it yet, dummy?" Kyoka interjected with a sigh, clearly a bit exasperated. "Think about it—who am I, who is Momo, and who is Kaminari?"

Kazama's blue eyes widened as he processed this. "Aren't you all... heroes? Wait—"

He turned to Kaminari, eyes widening in realization. "You want to form a band made up entirely of heroes!"

"Not quite," Kaminari corrected, shaking his head slightly. "It's a band made up of strong heroes, not just any heroes."

With a determined look, he continued, "I don't just want to be the top superstar. I want to be the best lightning Quirk user in the world. And if you're going to be part of this band, you'll have to aim for greatness too."

Kazama stared at him, mouth open in shock, then turned to Kyoka.

Kyoka met Kaminari's gaze, a spark of determination in her eyes, and then nodded firmly. Kazama was momentarily speechless.

Kaminari stepped closer, his expression serious. "If you're not willing to grow stronger and put in the effort, you're not qualified to join the Pikachu Band."

Kazama looked down, deep in thought. Kaminari sighed, figuring the answer was clear. He whispered to Kyoka, "Sorry, let's go."

"Yeah." Kyoka cast one last glance at Kazama, a hint of disappointment in her eyes. She cared about him; they'd been friends for years. Kazama was always gentle and kind, especially towards her. But his lack of drive outside of music was frustrating.

As they reached the door, Kazama's voice stopped them.

"Wait."

Kaminari turned back, but Kazama wasn't looking at him. Instead, his gaze was focused on Kyoka. "Are you sure you want to go along with this craziness?"

Kyoka didn't hesitate. She nodded firmly, and Kazama's shoulders slumped slightly.

"Alright then."

He turned to Kaminari, a hint of a smile on his face. "How can I prove to you that I'm serious about getting stronger?"

Kaminari raised an eyebrow. "Really? You can change your mind that quickly?"

Kazama chuckled to himself, It's not about my dream. It's about standing by Kyoka's side.

"Look, I know just saying 'I'll do it' won't be enough for you. So give me a condition," Kazama replied, his voice steady.

Kaminari considered him thoughtfully, then his face brightened with an idea. "Alright. You've heard of the provisional Hero license exam that Hero course students across the country take, right?"

Kazama nodded, already guessing where this was going.

"That's right," Kaminari confirmed. "If you pass and earn a provisional Hero license, I'll formally invite you to join the Pikachu Band as our keyboardist."

He held out his hand. "So, do we have a deal?"

"Deal!" Kazama responded immediately, shaking Kaminari's hand with renewed confidence. He wasn't one for hesitation, and once he'd made up his mind, there was no going back.

"When the time comes, I'll be waiting for that invitation."

His eyes drifted to Kyoka, a quiet determination in his gaze. No matter what, I'll be by your side.

I gave up my grades and focused on music for you. Now, I'll give my all to become stronger for you too.

Kyoka couldn't read his thoughts, but she was still thrilled by his decision, a small smile lighting up her face.

Kaminari tilted his head curiously. "By the way, I don't think I ever asked—what's your Quirk? You don't seem to have any visible physical mutation."

Kazama lifted his azure bangs with a casual gesture. "It's an engine-type Quirk."

He raised one hand, palm open, and after a brief pause, a gentle, white cloud-like mist began to gather in his hand.

"They call it 'Flowing Cloud.'"

He glanced up at the ceiling, and then, almost absent-mindedly, raised his arms, watching the mist swirl around his palms.

Chapter 73: Meeting Again

"Can you… actually make the clouds appear?"

Kaminari considered Kazama's Quirk, Flowing Clouds, and observed the mist gathering in Kazama's hand. He began piecing together what his ability might entail.

"Yes, I can summon clouds and mist," Kazama nodded, then added with a sheepish smile, "But only if there are clouds in the sky above."

Kaminari thought for a moment, then hesitantly asked, "So... how does that work in a fight? Can you use it to obscure vision or something?"

He was really wondering how such a Quirk could be effective in combat.

Kazama fell silent, gazing down at the mist swirling in his palm. After a pause, he finally murmured, "I honestly don't know. I've never really focused on using my Quirk in that way."

Kaminari rubbed his temples, sighing in exasperation. "Then how do you plan to get stronger?"

Even Kyoka seemed stumped, wracking her brain for ways a cloud-creating ability could be useful in battle. But besides blocking someone's vision, like Kaminari suggested, nothing practical came to mind.

"Don't worry," Kazama replied with a calm smile, seemingly unfazed by the challenge. "I'll figure it out. I promised I'd get that provisional license, and I intend to keep that promise."

With that, he turned to Kyoka and said, "I might need some advice on improving my Quirk. I'll be counting on you, Kyoka."

"Uh… sure, I'll help if I can," Kyoka replied, though she sounded a bit unsure.

"Alright then," Kaminari said with a shrug. Kazama seemed confident enough, so he decided to let it go, though he couldn't help pondering Flowing Clouds himself, wondering if he could recall any similar Quirks from his favorite anime back in his past life.

With that, the three of them went downstairs to the kitchen, where Kyoka's mother had prepared refreshments. After thanking her for the snacks, they parted ways at the door.

Naturally, Kaminari and Kyoka left together.

As they walked away, Kazama stayed behind, watching them. He let the gentle breeze lift his blue hair, his gaze following Kyoka as she strolled beside Kaminari. There was something different in the way she acted around Kaminari—she seemed almost shy. It wasn't how she usually behaved with him.

Maybe she just feels a bit nervous around the band's leader, Kazama thought, brushing off the feeling.

"Alright, time to head back," he muttered to himself. He looked up at the wide blue sky and the few drifting clouds before decisively turning around and heading home.

---

Meanwhile, as they walked together, Kyoka glanced over at Kaminari. "Do you think there's a way Kazama could use his 'cloud' Quirk in battle?"

She really wanted to help her friend figure it out.

"..." Kaminari scratched his head. He was still mulling it over. He liked analyzing different Quirks, but Flowing Clouds was a tricky one.

After a pause, he suggested, "Maybe… he could use his Quirk to give himself a speed or strength boost, like with propulsion?"

"Propulsion?" Jiro tilted her head, trying to imagine it.

"If that's too hard," Kaminari continued, "he could train in stealth techniques. Using clouds to obscure visibility, he could try something like… a 'silent takedown.'"

Kyoka's face immediately twisted with a frown. "Kaminari, Kazama wants to be a hero! 'Silent takedowns' sound way too much like a villain move."

Kaminari just laughed. "Kyoka, a Quirk is just a tool. It's neither good nor evil on its own. It's how you use it that matters."

Jiro sighed, crossing her arms thoughtfully. "Then maybe we can call it something else, like… I don't know, a 'silent rescue' instead?"

Kaminari chuckled, shaking his head. "We don't even know the full extent of Kazama's Quirk yet. He didn't exactly give us much to go on. Just being able to summon clouds doesn't tell us enough to figure out his potential."

Honestly, Kaminari wasn't entirely convinced Kazama had what it took to become stronger. And even if he did, he wondered just how far he could go with a Quirk like that.

Soon enough, they returned to U.A. for their afternoon classes. Today's combat training was led by All Might again, and they were once more split into Hero and villain teams, with a few tweaks to the rules and setting.

Overall, it was an enjoyable session. After all, they weren't allowed to use their Quirks freely outside of class, so these practical exercises were the perfect outlet.

After school, Kaminari didn't take Momo's luxury car home like he usually did. Instead, he walked with Tetsutetsu to the Shizuoka subway station.

Momo had mentioned during their tutoring session that she had a family gathering that evening, so Kaminari agreed to head home on his own. After all, she was already going out of her way to help him; it only made sense that she'd have her own family commitments.

As they exited the subway station in Saitama City, they noticed a small crowd gathered around a large tree on the sidewalk. The sound of a child crying floated over from the group, full of distress and panic.

Kaminari and Tetsutetsu exchanged a glance, thinking the same thing—was someone bullying a child? Without another word, they moved forward, ready to intervene.

As they got closer, however, they overheard someone saying that there was a cat stuck up in the tree. Among the crowd was a short, stocky man who was trying to calm down a little boy, who clung to his leg, sobbing.

"Sia-chan! Waaaaah! Sia-chan's gone… I want Sia-chan back!" The little boy's face was red and streaked with tears, and he clung desperately to his father's leg, crying his heart out.

His father patted him on the back, looking both exasperated and regretful. He mumbled to himself, I knew I shouldn't have let him hold the leash… Now the cat's stuck up there!

"So, it's just a cat, huh?" Tetsutetsu sighed, sounding a bit disappointed. He'd been hoping for a more heroic scenario, maybe even a fight.

"Yeah, but that tree's pretty tall," Kaminari noted, looking up. He could probably get up there with a burst of Godspeed, but this was technically outside Hero territory, and using his Quirk would be against the law for such a minor issue.

"Hey, that's a nice-looking tabby cat. Pretty chubby, too." A voice suddenly interrupted.

They turned to see a tall, thin boy with a familiar face, stopping nearby on his bicycle. He glanced up at the cat and seemed to recognize its breed immediately.

The boy got off his bike, approached the crowd, and asked the boy's father, "If you call its name, will it respond?"

"Uh… sometimes, yeah." The father looked a bit puzzled but went along with it.

Kaminari recognized the newcomer at once, it was the seaweed-haired boy he'd met at the shopping district a while back.

"Alright then, what's its name?" the purple-haired boy asked.

"Sia-chan! Her name's Sia-chan!" the little boy answered, sniffling, hope lighting up in his tear-stained face. "Can you help me get her back?"

"Let's give it a try."

The boy gave a reassuring smile, then addressed the crowd, "After I call her name, everyone else join in, okay? Keep calling until she responds."

The father exchanged a bewildered look with his son but nodded, willing to give it a shot. Anything was better than nothing at this point.

"Sia-chan! Look over here… Meowww—"

With a completely serious expression, the boy started meowing up at the cat, imitating cat sounds without an ounce of embarrassment. His meows were startlingly realistic, almost like he'd been practicing.

"M-meow… meow… meow—"

Then, something surprising happened. Before the father or the crowd could start calling, the cat actually responded. The boy smiled to himself and muttered, "What a good kitty."

"Alright, Sia-chan, come on down from there!"

To everyone's astonishment, the chubby black-and-white tabby began carefully making its way down the tree, tugging the leash along as it climbed. The onlookers gasped in surprise.

"Good kitty."

The boy crouched down, gently picking up the cat and cradling it in his arms. After giving it a few gentle strokes, he handed it to the little boy, who took it with a wide grin.

To prevent another runaway, the boy handed the leash to the father, making sure they had a firm grip on it this time.

"Is that… his Quirk?" Kaminari murmured to himself as he watched. "He calls, and if the other person answers, he can control them?"

Intrigued, Kaminari approached him. "Hey, wait a sec! Can we talk for a bit? You're a Hero course student too, right?"

"Hmm?"

The boy turned around, squinting his fish-like eyes at Kaminari while still holding onto his bike. "Yeah… so, you're in the Hero course too?"

"I'm Kaminari Denki, Class 1-A at U.A. High. How about you?"

Tetsutetsu looked between the two, surprised. This was the first time he'd seen Kaminari go out of his way to introduce himself like this.

"Hero course… Hitoshi Shinso, General Studies, Class C," the boy replied casually. Before Kaminari could ask anything more, Shinso swung a leg over his bike and waved.

"Sorry, but I've got to get to work at the car shop. Let's chat next time…"

With that, he pedaled away, leaving Kaminari watching his back in silence.

As Shinso disappeared into the distance, Kaminari sighed, thinking, Guess there'll be other chances. Living in Saitama and wanting to be a hero… I'll definitely get to know more about your Quirk.

Chapter 74: Hero’s Invitation

Today was Saturday, the highly anticipated day when "Pokémon," starring Kaminari, was set to officially premiere on TV Tokyo.

At 3:10 in the afternoon, Class 1-A's Hero Course was granted a rare early dismissal, ending all lessons after the sixth period. Classes were done for the day.

As soon as Aizawa-sensei left, the students began clearing their desks and chatting excitedly about the weekend. Kaminari flashed a charming smile and addressed the class, inviting everyone to take an hour out of their evening to watch the first episode of Pokémon.

"You've got to see it," he said confidently. "Even though I won't appear until tomorrow's episode, you don't want to miss it."

Kyoka and Momo, standing nearby, backed him up, urging their friends like Uraraka, Asui, and the others to tune in as well.

"Heh, I already knew!" Mina Ashido exclaimed, pumping her pink fist in the air. "The subway is plastered with your posters, Kaminari!"

"Yeah, I practically have the date and time memorized," Tsuyu Asui added, her lips quirking in amusement.

"I can't wait to see one of our classmates in an anime!" Kirishima said, looking at Kaminari with a glint of admiration. "Maybe I'll get to be in it too someday."

Mineta, however, had a different reaction. With a suggestive smirk, he leaned forward. "Hey, maybe they could add more Class 1-A students. I wouldn't mind meeting some cute anime girls…"

"If that happens, my radiant charm could outshine everyone and make me the true protagonist!" Aoyama Yuga declared, striking a dramatic pose, hand to his face as he sparkled with self-admiration.

"Tch, lame!" Bakugo scoffed, slinging his bag over his shoulder as he headed for the door. "I don't need to waste time watching some stupid show. I've got training to do. No way I'm watching!"

Kaminari just laughed. By now, he understood Bakugo's personality well enough to know he didn't mean half of what he said. Despite his brash attitude and harsh words, Bakugo never crossed the line into real bullying—except, perhaps, when it came to Midoriya, and that was a whole other story.

But Mineta's suggestion did spark an idea. Having more Class 1-A students appear in Pokémon could be fun, and they did need a large cast for the show. With a quick glance at Yaoyorozu, the two exchanged knowing nods, then Kaminari spoke up again.

"Alright, if any of you are interested in making a cameo in the Pokémon world, come see me now. Just give me your name and address, and I'll arrange for the company to send you a portrait licensing contract."

A wave of excitement rippled through the room.

"Really? We can actually be in it?" Mineta shouted in delight, visions of anime girls dancing in his mind.

"I want in!" Mina cried, bouncing with excitement. She grabbed Uraraka's hand and added, "Ochaco and I are both signing up!"

"Eh?!" Uraraka stammered, her cheeks turning pink. The idea of appearing on TV was thrilling but also nerve-wracking. "I… I don't want to cause any trouble…"

Despite her hesitation, the glimmer of excitement in her eyes was unmistakable.

"With my unique charm, I'll surely add some sparkle to the animation," Aoyama said with a dramatic flair, as if it were a given.

"Make me the manliest character possible!" Kirishima demanded, flexing his arms proudly.

"Not a chance!" Tetsutetsu interrupted, bumping fists with him. "I'll prove at the Sports Festival that I'm the toughest in Class 1-A!"

"Hah! Bring it on!" Kirishima shot back, locking eyes with Tetsutetsu as their fiery rivalry reignited, an intense spark crackling between them.

While the others clamored to write down their details, students like Tokoyami and Shoji watched from the sidelines, not signing up but also not leaving the room.

Ten minutes later, Kaminari looked over the list of names and addresses on the paper, nodding with satisfaction. Nearly the whole class had signed up, except for Bakugo, Todoroki, and Iida, who was probably still running laps outside, and Midoriya, who had disappeared somewhere.

With a cheerful farewell, the students packed up and headed home. Kaminari, however, didn't follow Momo or join Tetsutetsu on the way out. Instead, he made his way to the principal's office.

Aizawa-sensei had mentioned during lunch that Principal Nezu wanted to see him, though he hadn't said why. Kaminari couldn't help but wonder what the eccentric principal had in store.

As for Momo, she had her own studies to focus on, preparing for the upcoming Hero Experience Festival. That meant their private study sessions were on hold for now—a bit of a relief for Kaminari, since it gave him more time to work on his special moves.

---

7 p.m.

In the Kaminari household, the family gathered in the living room, snacking on fresh pineapple cut by Kaminari's mom as they waited eagerly for 7:30.

This was it—the broadcast time for Pokémon, airing in the prime Saturday night slot. Securing this time slot had taken considerable influence from Mitsui, which only highlighted the company's pull.

Mitsui and the Yaoyorozu family had divided the responsibilities for the project. Mitsui handled the animation production and promotion, while the Yaoyorozu family managed the Pikachu Band.

Of course, since Kaminari insisted on keeping the band strictly "student-led," he'd turned down all business performances for now. Besides, with the U.A. Sports Festival approaching, there wasn't much for Yaoyorozu's side to manage apart from keeping the band's online presence alive with occasional news snippets and ads.

Thinking of performances reminded Kaminari of what the principal had discussed with him.

"Dad, Principal Nezu talked to me after school today," he began, taking a sip of his drink.

"Oh? What about?" his father asked, popping another slice of pineapple into his mouth. Kaminari's mom looked equally curious. After all, it wasn't every day that the principal of U.A. wanted to have a private chat.

"He asked if Kyoka and I could perform the opening song for the first-year class during the Sports Festival," Kaminari replied with a casual grin. "He wants us to do it under the name of the Pikachu Band, with a song that matches U.A.'s values."

"What?!"

Kaminari's parents both exclaimed in shock.

Did they hear that right? Their son had been invited to perform the opening act for the U.A. Sports Festival?!

Chapter 75: New Song and Bakugo

"Son… are you telling the truth?"

Kaminari's mother asked, her voice tinged with both excitement and skepticism, as if afraid Kaminari was playing some elaborate joke.

"It's true," Kaminari confirmed, nodding. To be honest, he'd been just as stunned as they were when Principal Nezu first proposed the idea during their meeting.

"That's amazing!!"

Kaminari's mother rushed over and hugged him tightly, pride shining in her eyes. "You're really incredible!"

Clap!

"Well done, son!"

Kaminari's father clapped his hands in excitement. He knew exactly what this meant.

The U.A. Sports Festival was no ordinary event. It was a massive spectacle, even more popular than the Olympics in Japan. With the eyes of the entire country and even international viewers focused on it, a performance here would be the ultimate promotion!

"This principal really gave you a huge gift!" Kaminari's father said, grinning. Any lingering resentment he'd held toward U.A. for putting his son in harm's way during the recent villain attack vanished instantly.

"But… why did they choose Kaminari for this?" his mother asked, her brow furrowing slightly. "As far as I remember, there's never been an opening performance for the Sports Festival before."

"Good point… Kaminari, did the principal explain why?"

Both his parents looked at him expectantly. Such an unusual honor surely came with an explanation.

"Uh… he didn't go into detail," Kaminari admitted, scratching his head. "He just said something about supporting our 'student club' band."

He still felt a bit puzzled himself, though Principal Nezu's tone had been surprisingly gentle when he'd made the offer.

"Hmm… maybe it's just part of U.A.'s efforts to make this Sports Festival a bit different," Kaminari's father reasoned with a chuckle.

At that moment, any thoughts Kaminari had about refusing commercial performances were quickly tossed aside. This wasn't just some typical gig, this was the U.A. Sports Festival!

Passing up a chance like this would be beyond foolish.

"So, what song are you going to sing? 'Only My Railgun'? 'Hero'? Or maybe 'Pokémon'?" his mother asked, listing the popular titles Kaminari had already released.

"Well… if we were thinking strictly about promotion, singing 'Pokémon' would be the best choice, but…" his father hesitated, glancing at Kaminari.

"But it doesn't quite fit the theme of the Sports Festival," Kaminari agreed, understanding his father's concern. He was wrestling with the same dilemma. This was a huge opportunity, like performing at the opening of the Olympics in his past life. Whatever song he chose would reach millions of people.

After a long pause, Kaminari murmured, "Maybe… maybe I should write a new song for this."

"A new song?"

His father looked at him in surprise, and then a bit of worry crept into his expression. "Are you sure you have enough time?"

"Yes, and even if you do, what if you spend all your time on this song? Don't you need to prepare for the Sports Festival too?" his mother added, clearly concerned.

Kaminari smiled reassuringly. "Writing a song won't take too much time. And as for the Sports Festival, I've been preparing for years. The next few weeks are just for fine-tuning."

His parents exchanged a look, a mixture of pride and worry on their faces. But in the end, they nodded, trusting in his judgment.

"Alright, then. We'll support whatever decision you make," his mother said softly.

"I know you won't let us down!" his father added with a grin.

At that moment, a familiar theme song began to play on the TV. It was time for the premiere of Pokémon.

"Hey, it's starting!" Kaminari's mother said, eyes lighting up.

"Yeah, I can't wait…" Kaminari murmured, as all three of them quieted down to watch.

On the screen, Denki—the protagonist modeled after Kaminari himself appeared alongside Pikachu, embarking on their journey together. The opening sequence showcased scenes of Denki interacting with various Pokémon, all set to the catchy beat of the OP theme, "Aim to Be a Pokémon Master."

"Whether in fire, water, grass, or forest… Whether in earth, clouds, or under a girl's skirt"

"Pikachu!"

The song, performed by Kaminari and Kyoka, filled the living room, and through countless TVs across Japan, it reached homes nationwide. All the prior hype and marketing efforts finally paid off as fans tuned in to see what Pokémon was all about.

"Mom! Come quick!" Kyoka called excitedly from the living room, waving her mother over from the kitchen.

"Alright, alright, I'm coming!"

Her dad was already sprawled out on the couch, watching with a curious look on his face. After listening to the theme for a bit, he frowned slightly and asked, "Hey, why is that Kaminari kid the only one singing? What about you?"

"Uh…"

Kyoka blushed and scratched her head. "I was only on accompaniment, Dad. I didn't actually sing."

Her dad's frown deepened. "Why not? You sing just as well as he does!"

"I… I never told him I could sing," Kyoka admitted, embarrassed.

"…What an idiot," her dad muttered, shaking his head.

---

Meanwhile, in homes across Japan, the families of Class 1-A students, Tetsutetsu's family, Yaoyorozu's family, even Uraraka's family were all tuned in to watch the show.

The main character, modeled after Kaminari's likeness, was named simply "Denki" in the anime, making it easier for people to remember. So now, while he was Kaminari in real life, he was known as Denki in the Pokémon world.

---

At TV Tokyo's headquarters, Section Chief Akiyoshi, responsible for overseeing animation ratings, was watching the debut with bated breath. Normally, he wouldn't need to oversee something as routine as a ratings check.

But this wasn't just any anime, this was a show backed by the Mitsui and Yaoyorozu families, two of Japan's most powerful financial groups. In Japan, the influence of such groups was no small matter.

After the first half hour, the ratings team sat in stunned silence as they watched the numbers roll in.

"Ten percent viewership… within thirty minutes… This is the power of the two consortiums…" Section Chief Akiyoshi muttered in disbelief. As soon as he processed the numbers, he whipped around and shouted to his team.

"Notify the department head, now!"

---

At Bakugo's house.

"Huh, that's unusual." Bakugo's dad looked over at his son, who was sitting on the sofa with a focused expression.

"Yeah, you usually can't sit still for more than five minutes. But you've been glued to the TV for half an hour!" his mom added, her voice full of surprise.

Just then, the ending theme started to play.

"Who'd want to watch something like this anyway?!" Bakugo grumbled, his face turning red. He jumped up, flustered, and tossed the remote control onto the couch.

"I'm going to bed!"

"Tch, boring…"

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 76: The Show Begins!

Without realizing it, April had quietly slipped by, and Japan was now entering the vibrant, energetic month of May. Today was the opening day of the Hero Sports Festival, an event that drew the attention of the entire nation.

To see his son's performance live, Kaminari's father had gone to great lengths to secure two coveted tickets. Considering how difficult it was to get seats, he considered himself quite lucky!

Even though the U.A. Sports Arena was the largest multi-functional venue in Japan, able to hold a staggering 120,000 people, that was still far from enough to satisfy the demand for tickets.

Especially since U.A. High School had sent out a wave of official invitations to Japan's Hero community, which meant that around 90% of the country's professional heroes would be attending. Seats for them were, of course, reserved.

This move was U.A.'s way of sending a message to the villain world. Their stance was clear:

Come if you dare.

And as for Kaminari, he'd spent the past month working hard. Between rehearsing his new song with Kyoka and perfecting his "special move" for the Sports Festival, he'd been busy. For Kyoka's family, the chance to perform at an event like this was an honor, perhaps even more exciting than the Sports Festival itself.

Kyoka's parents, particularly her usually reserved mother, had been thrilled when they heard the news. In fact, their respect for Kaminari had skyrocketed, and they now fully supported the formation of the Pikachu Band, even offering to help promote it within their circle of music industry friends.

At seven o'clock in the morning, Kaminari arrived at the Hero Sports Venue, carrying his guitar case. He looked around at the early-morning crowd in surprise.

"Huh… so many people here already?"

He knew the Sports Festival wasn't scheduled to start until eight, but the place was already packed with families, friends, and fans. Food stalls lined both sides of the pathway, filling the air with the mouth-watering smells of festival snacks, as attendees strolled around, basking in the excitement of the event.

Kaminari had come early to do some last-minute preparations. He figured Kyoka had either already arrived or would be there soon.

Sure enough, when he walked into the spacious backstage area, he spotted Jiro tuning her bass with the help of a few music teachers.

"Hey, good morning, Lightning Boy!" Present Mic greeted him enthusiastically as soon as he saw him enter.

"Good morning, Mr. Mic!" Kaminari replied with a smile, nodding at Kyoka, who shot him a small grin as she continued tuning her instrument. He then gave Present Mic a respectful salute. He knew how hard the teacher had been working to help them prepare.

"Alright, alright, let's get to work!"

Present Mic clapped his hands together, embodying U.A.'s trademark efficiency. "Since you're both here, let's go over the performance a few more times. Especially the lyrics—memorize them. Got it?"

"Yes, Mr. Mic!" Kaminari and Kyoka answered in unison. Although they'd heard this countless times in the past month, they weren't tired of it. They were both filled with a mix of nerves and excitement.

What, you think Kaminari wouldn't be nervous? Even with his adult mind, anyone would feel the pressure of performing at an event like this. How many adults get to sing in front of a crowd at an Olympic-level event? To say he wasn't nervous would be a lie.

With Kaminari and Kyoka leading, the familiar prelude of their song filled the work area again. Though the music was beautiful, the backstage staff had heard it so many times by now that they barely reacted.

The first few days, everyone had been singing along. But as the rehearsals continued, even the catchiest song starts to lose its shine. After hearing it on repeat, they'd become numb to it.

Kaminari's electric guitar was decorated with a Pikachu sticker, and Kyoka's bass had a sticker of a pink-and-purple Pokémon with large ears—Sonic Rabbit, or Azumarill from Pokémon!

Kaminari had always thought Azumarill suited Kyoka's vibe, so he'd sketched it, had a custom sticker made, and gifted it to her. Kyoka had studied the sticker thoughtfully before promptly sticking it on her bass, much to Kaminari's delight. It looked adorable, and now, with Pikachu on Kaminari's guitar and Azumarill on Jiro's bass, the two of them looked like a perfect match.

That moment gave Kaminari an idea—maybe, when more members joined, they could each get a custom Pokémon sticker on their instrument as a signature style for the band. It could become a unique part of their identity.

But… he still hadn't figured out which Pokémon would suit Momo. She'd already started dropping hints about wanting her own, and was quite displeased that she didn't have one yet.

Finding the right Pokémon for her was now one of Kaminari's top priorities.

Time passed in a strange rhythm, slipping by quickly despite their anticipation. Before long, the clock on the wall showed 9:40.

The Sports Festival atmosphere was in full swing. The blue sky, the green field, the white stadium, and the sea of black-clad spectators in the stands, these colors painted a vivid backdrop for the day. Overhead, helicopters circled, capturing footage of the venue below.

All 120,000 seats were filled, and in the player lounge, students waited in nervous excitement.

In the control room, Aizawa-sensei, wrapped in bandages like a mummy, looked over at Present Mic, who had just walked in.

"Are they ready?"

"Totally ready!" Present Mic replied, looking down at the stage through the glass window with a proud smile. "Those two kids have got real talent. Especially Kaminari Denki—he's a musical genius!"

He leaned back, smirking. "Honestly, when he graduates, I'd love to recruit him for my agency."

As one of Japan's top heroes in the music industry, Present Mic had his own agency, and his side business was a radio broadcasting company where he served as DJ and CEO.

"But I have to admit," Aizawa murmured, "I didn't expect the principal to make such a bold decision for Kaminari. It's… unconventional."

"Well, from what I heard, Principal Nezu had to negotiate quite a bit with the higher-ups to add this performance to the opening ceremony," Present Mic said, unusually serious.

After all, this was unprecedented for the Sports Festival.

He looked down at the rising stage platform in the center of the field, where Kaminari and Jiro were standing with their instruments. Then he grinned, his usual energy returning. "But I think Kaminari Denki deserves it!"

He leaned forward, flipping on the microphone switch in front of him.

"EVERYBODY————!"

"Now, for the first time in the history of the Hero Sports Festival, please enjoy a special opening performance!"

"They are… THE PIKACHU BAND!!!"

In the next moment, all the lights on the stage blazed to life, and colorful fireworks shot up around the stadium, igniting the atmosphere with Present Mic's electrifying announcement.

"Deserves it, huh?"

Aizawa's eyes stayed fixed on Kaminari, who was now playing his guitar with confidence, a grin on his face. Aizawa thought to himself, Don't let us down, Kaminari.

Chapter 77: The Sports Festival Begins!

"Even if you want to run away sometimes…"

"Even if just for a moment, obstacles can be cleared!"

"Let's keep going, down this road…"

"There's something only you can do…"

"Let this blue planet…"

"Continue to shine…"

As the intro music faded, the first voice to sing wasn't Kaminari, the "captain" of the band, but Kyoka, the bassist.

In that instant, all cameras and eyes in the stadium focused on the fifteen-year-old girl.

The crowd, initially quiet and watching with curiosity and some skepticism, was immediately captivated by Kyoka's clear and resonant voice.

This song… it was good! Really good.

"Go and chase! Chase your dreams!"

"Go and protect! The friends you cherish!"

Then Kaminari's powerful voice joined in, lifting the rhythm even higher. His hands strummed the guitar effortlessly, his fingers moving in a blur. Under the bright, colorful lights, he seemed to almost glow, electrifying the atmosphere.

These lyrics were the reason Kaminari had chosen this song for the Sports Festival.

---

In the Class 1-A lounge:

"So cool… Kaminari!" Mina Ashido had her fists clenched in excitement, her eyes wide as she watched Kaminari and Kyoka on the big screen, performing to the cheers of a hundred thousand people.

"He… he's so different from his usual self," Tsuyu murmured, watching the two of them with awe. "Kyoka too…"

"I should have said yes…" Momo muttered, a hint of regret in her voice.

Kaminari had asked her to join as a temporary keyboard player, wanting the three of them to take the stage together. But she'd turned him down, feeling insecure about her piano skills.

Though she'd learned the basics due to her family's emphasis on well-rounded education, she didn't feel her skills were good enough to perform on such a large stage. But now, seeing Kaminari and Kyoka in the spotlight… she couldn't help but feel a pang of regret.

"Kaminari Denki… I won't lose to you today." Todoroki's gaze was steely as he watched the screen, his expression colder than ever.

Today, his father Endeavor would be watching. Todoroki was determined to prove that he could reach the top of the Sports Festival without using his fire Quirk.

"Tch, show-off…" Bakugo muttered, his hands in his pockets, his face set in a scowl. But deep down, he couldn't deny the small flare of envy.

Bakugo's dream was to surpass All Might and become the ultimate Hero, one who was both strong and widely admired. But while he was confident in his strength, he wasn't as sure about his popularity. Watching Kaminari up there, Bakugo felt a spark of inspiration.

---

Back in the stadium, the song "Brave Heart" had captured the audience. The citizens, the professional heroes, even the Hero course teachers, everyone was drawn in by the music and lyrics.

The principal and the Hero teachers, especially, were thrilled. This song was the perfect message for the Hero Sports Festival, inspiring everyone present.

"Go and catch that bright tomorrow!"

"Go and protect the people you cherish!"

"Let go of your weak self!"

"Break through every wall!"

The lyrics resonated with every student, first years, second years, third years. The song spoke to their hearts, expressing the passion and determination they all felt about becoming heroes. And Kaminari and Kyoka's performance was absolutely flawless.

---

In the third-year Hero lounge:

"Hmm… he's really handsome!" said a blue-haired girl with a curvaceous figure, her eyes glued to the screen.

"Yeah! Their song is amazing!" said a sturdy young man with brown, spiky hair. "I'd love to meet him in person."

"Why? Are you thinking of picking up singing? Last I checked, you're tone-deaf," joked, a quiet, brooding student leaning against the wall, arms crossed.

"Uh… haha, maybe not!" the young man replied, scratching his head in embarrassment. "But hey… weren't their names in the subtitles just now?"

"Yeah, they're both first-years in Class 1-A," replied a girl with an innocent look, her delicate finger pressed thoughtfully against her lips. "The guy's name is Kaminari Denki, and the girl's name is Kyoka. Even their names sound cool!"

---

"Believe in your heart!"

Kaminari and Kyoka each sang the final line of the song, their voices filled with energy and passion. Together, they played the last chord, bringing their performance to an end.

The moment their hands left their instruments, the crowd of nearly 120,000 erupted in thunderous applause and cheers.

"Pikachu!"
"Pikachu!"
"Pikachu!!!"

The audience didn't know Kaminari's name yet, but they remembered the band name that Present Mic had announced—Pikachu Band.

---

In the stands, Kaminari's mom was practically glowing with pride, watching as everyone around her cheered for her son.

"Look at them! They love our son!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.

"Yeah, he really did it," Kaminari's father said, a proud smile on his face as he watched Kaminari and Kyoka bow to the crowd. He knew that this performance had catapulted Kaminari into stardom. For at least the next month, his name, Kyoka's, and their song would be all over the Japanese media.

I hope you're ready for this, Kaminari, he thought to himself.

---

Meanwhile, in a dark, hidden room where Shigaraki and Kurogiri had once met, dozens of LCD screens displayed the live broadcast of the Hero Sports Festival. On each screen, a close-up of Kaminari's face appeared, glistening with sweat from his passionate performance.

"So… this is the boy who took down Nomu, huh?" a tall, shadowy figure said, his eyes fixed on Kaminari's image.

"Yes. According to our research, his name is Kaminari Denki, and his Quirk is electric-based," Kurogiri replied respectfully.

The figure nodded thoughtfully. "An interesting kid. I'll be watching his next move closely…"

---

Fifteen minutes later, the Hero Sports Festival officially began!

Chapter 78: Surpass Me! Todoroki Shoto!

"Kaminari! You guys were amazing out there!!"

"What's the name of that song?!"

"Wow, I can't believe I have two celebrity classmates! I'm totally getting an autograph!"

"And group photos! Then we can use them to impress the cute girls!"

Ahem, needless to say, that last comment came from Mineta, the ever-"resourceful" grape boy.

"Hahahahaha!"

Still buzzing from the performance, Kaminari laughed heartily. He'd just finished his first major show, and the thrill was still coursing through him. He realized he truly loved being on stage.

"Yeah… this is it. I'm on the right path."

That thought solidified his commitment to his dream, strengthening his confidence in his goal of becoming a superstar Hero.

Nearby, Kyoka was surrounded by a cluster of her female classmates, all chatting excitedly. She seemed just as pleased with how the performance had gone, a small smile breaking through her usual cool demeanor.

"Kaminari."

Suddenly, Todoroki's calm, serious voice cut through the chatter in the room. Kaminari turned to find Todoroki standing right in front of him, his expression colder than usual.

"Hm? What's up?" Kaminari asked, slightly surprised.

Todoroki's gaze was intense as he said, "This time, I'm not holding back. I'll show you the difference between us in a real competition of strength."

"The final winner… will be me."

The room fell silent, the weight of Todoroki's words hanging in the air. But Kaminari only smirked, crossing his arms and meeting Todoroki's icy stare with his own confident smile.

"Alright then."

"Although, to be honest, I think it's still a little early for you…"

"But I, Kaminari Denki, will be waiting for you at the top."

With that, Kaminari's voice grew louder, his stance stronger. Under the stunned gazes of his classmates, he issued his own challenge to Todoroki.

"Surpass my lightning!"

"Surpass me, Todoroki!"

Todoroki's face darkened at Kaminari's words. What was that supposed to mean? He'd come here to challenge Kaminari, but somehow it felt like he was the one being challenged!

Kaminari's words stirred something inside him—anger, pride, and a fierce determination. Frost started to form on his right side as he clenched his fists, a reminder that this Sports Festival would be his chance to prove himself. Words don't matter here, he reminded himself. Only actions.

"Stop it, Todoroki!"

Midoriya, noticing the tension, stepped forward, placing a hand on Todoroki's arm. "Calm down, you guys. We're about to start."

Smack!

But Todoroki shrugged Midoriya's hand off, looking at him with an icy glare. "I don't know why, but I can't ignore you. I don't need to know the details… but today, you're also someone I'm determined to defeat."

"Don't underestimate me."

Midoriya's eyes widened briefly, but then his expression turned resolute. "I know you're stronger than me. Honestly, except for Kaminari, most of our classmates probably don't stand a chance against you."

Bakugo's face immediately twisted in annoyance at that comment, but Midoriya didn't notice and continued.

"Subjectively and objectively, you're one of the best here," Midoriya acknowledged. "But everyone—all of us, including students from other classes, came here to fight for the top spot!"

Gone was the hesitant boy of yesterday. Now, Midoriya's gaze was sharp, his resolve clear as he looked straight into Todoroki's intense eyes.

"So! I'll give it everything I've got to fight for first place!"

This tense exchange between Kaminari, Todoroki, and Midoriya quickly made the three of them the center of attention. The rest of Class 1-A watched in silence, sensing the brewing rivalry. The atmosphere was charged, like a powder keg ready to explode.

Bakugo, standing nearby, clenched his fists, veins pulsing on his forearms as he glared at the three with pure fury.

"Oi, oi, oi, oi, oi… so what, I'm just a side character now?!"

"You three… just wait! I'll crush every single one of you!"

"The top spot is MINE!"

---

Meanwhile, outside in the stadium, the Hero Sports Festival was about to kick off. The four giant screens around the arena suddenly cut to Present Mic.

"Alright, people, are you READY?!"

His voice boomed through the speakers, sending another wave of cheers throughout the stands. The crowd had been waiting eagerly for this moment, and audiences across Japan, glued to their TVs, leaned in with excitement.

"And for all the media out there—"

"This year, it's the thing you love most, high schoolers unleashed, competing with everything they've got!"

"The Hero Sports Festival has officially begun! EVERYBODY—ARE YOU READY?!"

Present Mic's boundless enthusiasm whipped the already electrified crowd into a frenzy, the cheers so loud they seemed to shake the very stadium.

"First-year contestants, ENTER!"

The music around the venue shifted, the school anthem of U.A. High blaring triumphantly as the first-year students stepped out onto the field.

Step. Step.

Kaminari, Midoriya, Bakugo, and Todoroki were the first to emerge, leading Class 1-A into the stadium.

Pop! Pop! Pop!

Fireworks erupted above them, filling the sky with color as the crowd roared even louder. Even though it was still daytime, the spectacle only added to the already intense energy in the air.

"The next generation of heroes is here, about to face a gauntlet of fierce challenges! The ultimate showdown of the year!"

"Everyone in this stadium is looking forward to these students!"

"And this first group, Class 1-A of the Hero Course! The miracle class that survived a villain attack with grit and determination!"

Present Mic's words lit another fire in the crowd, turning all eyes to Class 1-A. Kaminari and Kyoka, fresh from their performance, were showered with cheers and applause. Many of the spectators were younger kids, elementary and middle school students, who had come with their families and were now screaming their names.

As Class 1-A stepped out, the rest of the Hero Course classes followed, along with students from General Studies, Support, and Business Courses. Some of them grumbled quietly to themselves. They didn't like being in the shadow of Class 1-A's reputation. In particular, the students of Hero Course Class 1-B felt annoyed.

To them, Class 1-A wasn't special. They'd only gotten attention because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time and just happened to encounter villains.

If they'd been there, they thought, they would have handled it just as well.

But what these students didn't realize was that Class 1-A hadn't been lucky to survive the villain attack. They'd been tested, pushed to their limits, facing life and death.

---

"The competitors will now take the oath!"

At that moment, Midnight, standing on a raised platform in a daring, form-fitting outfit, raised a microphone and announced, "Competitor representative, Class 1-A's Kaminari Denki!"

The crowd erupted once more, and Kaminari's confident smile was projected onto the giant screens.

None of Class 1-A was surprised by the choice. Kaminari had ranked first in the entrance exams, after all. But Bakugo's face twisted in irritation, his fists clenching even tighter.

"Why does that lightning jerk always get the spotlight?! Just wait till I blow you out of my way!"

Under the gaze of a hundred thousand people, Kaminari slowly walked onto the platform and stood beside Midnight and Present Mic.

He took a deep breath, a spark of inspiration hitting him. This is my chance to make an impression.

He leaned into the microphone, his voice calm yet carrying across the stadium.

"Please remember my name and the way I look standing here… because I, Kaminari Denki, will be the one claiming the crown!"

Chapter 79: Kaminari Becomes Stronger

"Wow!!!"

Kaminari's bold declaration sent an uproar through the crowd in an instant.

Though he'd used the word "please," his tone and confidence made it sound more like a command. This didn't sit well with several of the students watching, who were annoyed by how much attention he was getting.

"Hey, don't get too full of yourself!"
"Who does this golden-haired punk think he is?"
"Just 'cause you can sing, doesn't mean you're the best!"

Meanwhile, Tetsutetsu grinned, giving Kaminari a thumbs up. "That's the spirit! You gotta have confidence!"

"But… won't that make everyone target him?" Iida asked, frowning with worry.

Oddly enough, the one person who didn't seem fazed was Bakugo. Normally quick to anger, he stood silently with his hands in his pockets, watching Kaminari's back with a fierce glint in his eyes.

Say whatever you want now, Bakugo thought. When this starts, I'll show everyone who's really on top.

---

Just as Kaminari returned to the Class 1-A group, the screens around the stadium shifted, and Midnight's voice boomed out.

"Time for the first event!"

Without wasting a second, Midnight got right to it. This was U.A.'s style, no unnecessary delays, just straight to the action.

"Every year, students face challenges that make them question their abilities," she said. "And the first event, which will decide your fate today, is…"

Behind her, a holographic screen popped up, displaying the event name in bold letters:

Obstacle Race!

Seeing the high-tech projection, Kaminari couldn't help but marvel. He knew this world's technology was advanced, but seeing a perfect virtual display right in front of him still felt surreal.

"All students from the eleven participating classes will compete in this race," Midnight continued, turning to the screen. "The course runs around the stadium, with a total length of four kilometers!"

She raised her arm and gave a sly grin, licking her lips with anticipation. "And remember, U.A. places a heavy emphasis on freedom… so as long as you stay on the track, anything goes!"

At this, a collective cheer rose from the crowd. Many students, especially those from non-Hero Courses, were thrilled. This was a rare chance for them to use their Quirks freely in front of an audience.

"Alright, everyone, get to your places!"

Under Midnight's command, hundreds of students quickly gathered at the starting line. Kaminari noticed that the exit was a narrow gap, barely wide enough to fit more than a couple of people at once.

I see… Kaminari narrowed his eyes, realizing the strategy behind it.

The lights above the exit flashed green, one by one, until finally, with the third beep, Midnight's voice rang out.

"START!"

In an instant, every student surged forward, racing toward the narrow opening. But despite being able to use their Quirks, most held back, hesitating in the initial crush.

"They're still not used to it…" Aizawa noted quietly from the commentary booth, observing the chaotic start with his usual calm.

Present Mic, however, was his usual animated self. "Isn't that exit way too narrow?! They're gonna pile up like crazy!"

"Out of the way! Don't push me!"

Midoriya struggled in the crowd, quickly realizing the purpose of the narrow starting point. So, this is the first hurdle…

"A built-in screening!" he thought.

Just then, Todoroki took action. With a quick motion, he activated his ice Quirk, freezing the ground and trapping dozens of students in place. In a flash, the cold wind spread, immobilizing everyone's legs in a solid sheet of ice.

"Sorry, but I'm going on ahead."

As Todoroki began to slide over the ice, a burst of electricity crackled behind him, followed by a loud voice.

"Better pick up the pace, Todoroki!"

In a blur of golden light, Kaminari shot past him, leaving a trail of crackling energy and a playful taunt.

"Kaminari Denki…!" Todoroki's eyes narrowed as he watched Kaminari's electrified form speeding ahead. Alright… you're not getting away so easily.

Without holding back, Todoroki summoned more ice, leaping forward with powerful strides as he created a path of frozen pillars beneath him.

Meanwhile, behind them, Todoroki and Kaminari's combined attack had caused mayhem, leaving many students frozen or stumbling. But a few with stronger control over their Quirks managed to break free and sprint toward the exit.

"Don't get too comfortable!"

With a blast from his hands, Bakugo rocketed into the air, snarling, "Half-and-half freak! Thunder idiot! I'm coming for both of you!"

However, unlike in the original timeline, Midoriya was struggling even more. Todoroki's ice and Kaminari's electricity had hit him head-on, leaving him paralyzed on the frozen ground, filled with a growing sense of desperation.

"No… no, this can't be happening!" Midoriya gasped, his body refusing to respond. "I… I can't fall behind here!"

His heart pounded as he remembered his promise to All Might, his resolve to show everyone what he was capable of.

Move… he thought desperately, forcing every ounce of strength into his limbs. Move!

---

Up ahead, Kaminari and Todoroki had already reached the first major obstacle: a group of massive "zero-point" robots, the same type they'd faced in the entrance exam. Towering like buildings, the sheer number of them caused even Bakugo, Tokoyami, Tetsutetsu, and the other top students to hesitate.

"So this is our first real test…" Kaminari muttered, eyeing the robotic giants with a smirk. But he had no intention of slowing down.

In a burst of speed, he sprinted across one robot's outstretched arm, looking directly at a nearby camera as he charged forward.

Suddenly, the golden currents surrounding Kaminari intensified, flaring into a radiant, flame-like aura. His speed doubled, transforming him into what looked like a living bolt of lightning.

"Godspeed!"

To the audience in the stadium, Kaminari was nothing but a streak of gold flashing across the screen. Even the satellites broadcasting the event struggled to keep up with his movements.

When the cameras finally caught up, the head of the leading zero-point robot was engulfed in a fiery explosion, electricity and flames erupting in all directions.

"W-What just happened?!"

Present Mic stared at the screen, wide-eyed. "That was Kaminari, right?! He just… vanished and then BOOM!"

Aizawa squinted at the display, his expression thoughtful as he processed Kaminari's explosive power.

He's developed a lot…

But before Present Mic could finish reacting, Todoroki struck. The robot next to Kaminari was instantly frozen from its base up, as Todoroki glided underneath it, his gaze cold and focused.

Just watch, Dad, Todoroki thought, his resolve hardening. This time, I'll get first place with my ice alone.

But even as he thought that, his eyes were fixed on the golden figure blazing ahead.

I need to take him down first. Kaminari Denki… you're my target!

Chapter 80: The Combat Uniform Is On The Way

"Godspeed!"

This move was an upgraded version of Kaminari's "High-Speed Movement." It not only allowed him to reach even faster speeds and heightened reflexes but also provided a layer of "armor" through the intense lightning that wrapped around his body. The electric energy coating acted as a barrier, giving his attacks more impact and durability.

In this state, every punch, every kick was like a charged-up version of his "Lightning Fist." Although it was still a ways off from his ultimate goal, it was beginning to resemble a prototype of the "Thunder Armor" he envisioned.

But there were limitations. Maintaining this form drained his energy faster than High-Speed Movement did. Every attack and every block burned through his stamina, and sustaining the form for only ten minutes consumed almost as much power as his Chain Lightning attack against Tomura Shigaraki.

And yet… there was no denying that this form looked incredible.

The golden electric flames flickering over his body made him appear larger than life, and his usually tousled blonde hair now stood on end, crackling with electricity. He looked like a golden, electrified version of a Super Saiyan.

Of course, his power was nowhere near that level… but hey, looking cool counted for something, right?

With "Godspeed," Kaminari's strength had undeniably leveled up.

---

Whoosh!

"Hah… can't keep up with that speed," Todoroki muttered, watching Kaminari blur into the distance.

The icy path he had created was still effective, but Kaminari's speed had forced him to abandon the idea of competing purely on speed. His right side, covered in frost from his earlier Quirk usage, was now defrosting as he ran at full tilt, regaining warmth from his own body heat.

"It's only the first event. No need to push too hard… as long as I secure first place in the end," Todoroki thought, his face set in steely determination.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Suddenly, the unmistakable sound of explosions filled his ears. Without looking, he knew who it was. Bakugo blasted himself forward with violent bursts, catching up to Todoroki and sneering down at him from mid-air.

"Yo, half-and-half bastard! Having trouble keeping up?"

Todoroki remained silent, glancing briefly at Bakugo to assess his speed. His explosions are getting stronger. He's heating up over time…

Just behind them, a third group was making steady progress. Iida sprinted at high speed, while Tsuyu leaped gracefully over obstacles. Hatsume Mei zoomed along in her support gear, and Momo pedaled a small electric bike she'd crafted just for the event.

In the air, Shoji used his replicated arms as makeshift wings to fly, drawing admiration from everyone who saw him. His creativity with his Quirk was impressive.

---

"RAAAHHH!!!"

Back near the starting line, Midoriya let out a desperate cry as he willed his body forward. The display screen in the stadium zoomed in on him, his face set in fierce determination.

"That's A-1's Izuku Midoriya!" Present Mic shouted excitedly, his voice booming across the stadium. "Where did that insane speed come from?!"

The audience's eyes widened as they saw the red energy lines tracing Midoriya's arms, neck, and face. Present Mic leaned forward, eyeing the screen in astonishment.

"What's the deal with his Quirk? What's it called?" he asked, turning to Aizawa, who remained silent. The truth was, even Aizawa didn't know the exact name of Midoriya's Quirk. It hadn't been listed on his file.

"It's… a high-impact Quirk, very powerful," Aizawa murmured, his voice laced with concern. "But it also comes with serious drawbacks…"

Watching Midoriya pushing himself to the limit, Aizawa felt a twinge of worry. He'd seen Midoriya injure himself severely with just one arm in previous training. If he was using that power across his entire body now…

---

"HE'S SURPASSING THEM!"

Present Mic's voice rang out, louder than ever. "Midoriya Izuku has blown past the third group of contestants!"

"He's catching up to Todoroki and Bakugo! And he's gaining on them fast!"

In the special viewing booth, All Might clenched his fists, watching his successor on the screen. Midoriya's fierce determination was visible in his eyes, and the power of One For All burned within him.

Did his will to win accidentally ignite One For All, allowing it to adjust naturally? All Might wondered.

---

While everyone marveled at Midoriya's speed, Kaminari had already reached the second obstacle.

"Oh… I can't use 'Godspeed' here," he realized, eyeing the terrain.

While the move gave him incredible speed, it lacked flexibility in confined spaces. Without a clear, straight path, using it here would be more of a hindrance than a help. He'd either have to commit to a full-speed dash or risk a hard fall.

Sighing, Kaminari relaxed his Quirk.

The electric flames around him fizzled out, leaving only a few sparks dancing across his body. His blonde hair, which had been standing on end, settled back down.

As he glanced over his shoulder, he could see Bakugo and Todoroki approaching fast. Bakugo had just overtaken Todoroki and was now Kaminari's closest competitor.

With no time to waste, Kaminari leaped forward, keeping his balance as he ran across the narrow steel beams and crossed the towering pillars that stretched across the course. He moved with practiced ease, his every step calm and sure.

Spectators across the stadium, including several pro heroes, watched him in admiration.

---

In a traditional Japanese room in the Mitsui ancestral home, an elderly man in a black kimono sat calmly on a tatami mat, watching Kaminari's performance on a large television screen. His face broke into a small smile.

"So, what do you think now?" he asked, his voice carrying an air of authority.

Next to him knelt a middle-aged man in a sharp suit, watching the screen with a skeptical expression. "He has potential," he admitted reluctantly. "But… are we sure he's worth using the 'super-intelligent shape memory alloy' for his gear?"

The old man chuckled softly. "If he takes first place, grant him the alloy for his combat uniform. He saved my life. I believe this is a suitable way to repay him."

"And if he doesn't win first?" the man in the suit asked, hopeful that he might not have to part with such a precious material.

"If he places second or lower, then we'll forego the 'intelligent alloy,' but he'll still receive a top-grade combat uniform. My life isn't so cheap."

"Understood," Mitsui Yusuke replied, nodding in deference. He was willing to invest in Kaminari, but parting with the alloy would be a last resort. Still, if we can make a suit using our best tech… it should be impressive.

"It's up to you now, Kaminari," the old man murmured, his eyes fixed on the screen. He watched as Kaminari navigated the pillars with ease, showing a level of composure and skill that impressed even him.

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 81: Midoriya's Power Awakens!

"Hmm… already catching up, huh?"

Kaminari turned his head to see Bakugo flying through the air, propelled by the continuous explosions from his hands. That ability to fly really gives him an edge, Kaminari thought to himself, a small smirk playing on his lips.

"Thunder idiot!!" Bakugo bellowed. "Get it through your head! I'm your biggest rival! First place is MINE!"

The explosions from Bakugo's palms added an extra burst of intensity to his words as he closed in on Kaminari.

Kaminari just chuckled to himself. If I had my coins, a shot from my railgun would've sent you flying right now!

He couldn't help but feel a bit annoyed. Since the school had banned any equipment aside from clothing, he wasn't allowed to carry the metal coins he used for his ranged railgun attacks. It was frustrating—without those, he was left with fewer long-range options.

If I hadn't mastered "Godspeed" and "High Voltage Mode" just in time, I wouldn't even be confident competing against Todoroki and Bakugo in this Sports Festival.

Kaminari sighed, recognizing that he still had a lot of room to grow. His reliance on equipment only highlighted his need to strengthen his own abilities further.

---

Meanwhile, he approached the end of the second level, with Bakugo just about caught up to him, their fierce rivalry igniting once again.

"I'm number one!!!" Bakugo roared, pushing himself even harder.

Trailing close behind them was Todoroki, who kept his focus on maintaining his place in the top three. He'd decided that he didn't need to fight for first place in this round, as long as he secured a top position, that would be enough.

But his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone screaming from behind.

"Midoriya?"

Todoroki glanced back, surprised by what he saw.

Midoriya was somehow racing along the steel beams with green energy crackling around his body, giving him a speed and agility that Todoroki hadn't expected to see.

What's going on? Todoroki thought, eyes widening slightly. He looks just like Kaminari… but with green lightning?

Midoriya caught his gaze and shouted, determination burning in his eyes, "Todoroki! I'm giving everything I've got in this race too!"

His words, broadcast live, reached the ears of everyone watching across Japan.

Unbeknownst to Kaminari, his earlier "One Hundred Thousand Volts" attack had pushed Midoriya to his limit, awakening a new understanding of his power. In his desperation, Midoriya had figured out how to channel "five percent" of his Quirk throughout his body, keeping it within a manageable range.

The famed "Midoriya miracle" was in full effect.

This kid… he really is something, Kaminari thought, glancing back briefly. That hero spirit… it's something else.

Todoroki, however, was no longer calm. The icy chill radiating from his right side intensified as he activated his Quirk again.

I can't let this green-haired kid overtake me! I can accept Kaminari and Bakugo ahead of me, but there's no way I'm losing to Midoriya!

With renewed determination, Todoroki summoned a massive wave of ice, creating a bridge that spanned across the remaining pillars in front of him. While this would make it easier for others to follow, he didn't care anymore. His pride was on the line.

---

Back in the lead, Kaminari and Bakugo had cleared the second level and were now on a stretch of flat ground, which immediately turned into a battlefield.

Bakugo, fired up and relentless, was attacking Kaminari every chance he got.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Each blast left craters in the ground, sending clouds of dust into the air. Bakugo's crazed laughter echoed with each explosion, making him look more like a villain than a hero.

"Wahahaha! Get ready, Thunder Idiot!" Bakugo shouted, wild-eyed. "I'm blowing you out of my way! First place is MINE!"

With a fierce grin, he launched himself forward, aiming a powerful blast at Kaminari. But Kaminari wasn't about to just sit back and take it. He retaliated with his own lightning-charged punch.

Boom!!!

Their powers clashed, sending a shockwave that rippled across the course. Bakugo was pushed back, stumbling as he tried to regain his balance.

But Kaminari wasn't done. Golden lightning surged around him, and with a burst of speed, he activated "Godspeed" once more, charging forward in a dazzling blur.

"Get out of my way, Bakugo!" Kaminari yelled, lashing out with a lightning-imbued kick.

WHAM!

Bakugo was sent flying back, tumbling across the ground, sparks of electricity crackling around him.

"Bakugo!" Midoriya called out, shocked by the sight of his rival being knocked back so forcefully.

"Shut up, Deku!" Bakugo snarled, his expression twisted with rage. He was too focused on Kaminari to even register Midoriya's own transformation. "Thunder Idiot! I'm not done with you!"

With an explosive push from his palms, Bakugo propelled himself forward again, ignoring the pain in his arms from the sheer force he was using. Fueled by adrenaline and pure stubbornness, he hurtled forward, determined to catch up.

Now the second group was a high-stakes race between Todoroki, Midoriya, and Bakugo. The big screens showed their progress side by side, each of them giving their all in an intense battle for second place.

---

Kaminari, now with a comfortable lead, soon reached the third obstacle.

"The final stage for Kaminari Denki, the first in the lead… a massive minefield!!" Present Mic announced, his voice brimming with excitement.

"The staff really outdid themselves with this one! If you look carefully, you can actually see where the mines are buried," he explained. "Keep your eyes open and tread carefully!"

Hearing this over the stadium's loudspeakers, several of Kaminari's classmates back on the ice track like Tetsutetsu, Kyoka, Iida, and Momo couldn't help but gasp.

Has Kaminari already made it that far?

"Hmm… this is tricky. I'm not sure how fast these mines detonate…" Kaminari muttered to himself, looking out at the maze of hidden explosives in front of him.

The darker patches of ground clearly indicated where the mines were buried, but they were scattered randomly across the path, making navigation a challenge.

"Well, can't waste any more time. Let's go!"

With the sounds of explosions and cheers from the audience spurring him on, Kaminari activated the more flexible "High-speed Movement," and darted into the minefield. However, his speed wasn't as fast as usual because he still had to rely on his eyes, carefully watching his steps.

Not far behind, Bakugo, Todoroki, and Midoriya reached the minefield as well.

"Hah! Mines? Like I care!" Bakugo laughed wildly, his palms flaring as he launched himself over the ground with blasts from his hands, completely ignoring the mines below.

"Thunder Idiot! I'm coming for you!"

Chapter 82: Respective Beliefs

"Tch, these last two obstacles were basically custom-made for Bakugo…" Kaminari muttered as he pushed forward, sensing Bakugo's intense pressure right behind him. Despite his best efforts to stay ahead, he couldn't deny the advantage Bakugo's explosive mobility gave him.

Looks like I'll need to work on some kind of flying technique in the future…

Sure enough, Bakugo's relentless blasts propelled him forward, and soon he was nearly level with Kaminari.

But this time, surprisingly, Bakugo held back from attacking. He simply maintained his speed, his intense gaze focused straight ahead.

I'll show that golden-haired idiot and crush him at the finish line, Bakugo thought, his competitive spirit raging. For once, he'd managed to hold his temper in check. But Kaminari wasn't about to let him keep that advantage. If Bakugo could keep up his momentum, he could very well snatch first place.

"Godspeed—activate!" Kaminari shouted, letting out a roar as golden lightning flared around him, enveloping his body in an aura of electric flames. He intentionally stepped on one of the landmines on the ground, triggering an explosion that launched him into the air, using the blast to rocket forward at high speed.

Bakugo was startled as Kaminari surged forward in a blur of light, appearing just above him in an instant.

"Take this!" Kaminari's voice rang out as he swung his leg down in a powerful golden kick. "Guillotine-Drop!"

"Like hell you're hitting me again!" Bakugo snarled. His reflexes kicked in, his body twisting mid-air as he threw his hands up, catching Kaminari's attack with an explosive counter.

BOOM!

The resulting explosion lit up the sky, a mix of fiery blasts and electric arcs that blinded everyone watching.

---

"Oh my god!" Kyoka shouted, arriving at the edge of the minefield just in time to witness the massive explosion lighting up the sky. "Was that Kaminari and Bakugo?"

"They're… really pushing each other to the limit," Iida said in awe, eyes wide behind his glasses as he tried to process the sheer scale of power.

Todoroki and Midoriya, who were close enough to feel the shockwave, instinctively shielded themselves from the blast. Todoroki quickly created a small ice shield to block the incoming debris, while Midoriya backflipped to stay steady.

"These two…" Todoroki muttered, squinting into the smoke.

But rather than wait, he saw this as an opportunity. Without hesitation, he summoned his ice powers, creating a clear frozen path through the minefield. The "icicle road" let him move forward quickly, stepping over the dangerous ground below.

Father, I hope you're watching. I don't need your power to come out on top.

Behind him, Midoriya watched the path forming with wide eyes, realizing Todoroki's strategy. But rather than hold back, he steeled himself and stepped onto Todoroki's ice.

"I'm sorry, Todoroki," Midoriya muttered, his face set with determination as he dashed across the icy path right behind him. "This might be taking advantage of you, but… I have my own reasons for needing to win!"

The memory of All Might handing him a piece of his hair flashed through his mind.

I won't let All Might down!

---

Down in the minefield, as Todoroki and Midoriya raced across the icy path, a figure emerged from the thick smoke above—Bakugo, tumbling from the air, looking visibly enraged.

He crashed into one of Todoroki's ice structures with a heavy impact, cracking the surface under him.

"Kacchan!" Midoriya called out, leaping onto the ice next to him, concern flashing across his face.

"Get out of my way, Deku!" Bakugo snapped, shoving Midoriya back. His gaze was locked onto the golden streak still moving ahead. "That's twice now, Kaminari!"

Bakugo's arms trembled from the strain, but his anger fueled him. Ignoring the pain, he launched himself forward with another explosive blast. Todoroki took advantage of the opening to keep pushing forward, reclaiming second place.

Above, on the stadium's big screen, Kaminari's actions replayed in slow motion for the audience. Covered in crackling golden flames, Kaminari had managed to kick Bakugo away and used the force of the explosion to somersault mid-air. As he descended, he twisted his body gracefully to regain balance.

"Whoa… is our son really this strong?" Kaminari's mother murmured in amazement, watching the replay with wide eyes.

"...I honestly didn't know," his father replied, equally stunned. This was the first time they'd ever seen Kaminari in a real fight, and the intensity of his abilities left them speechless.

---

"Whoa-oh-oh!" Present Mic's excited voice echoed through the stadium. He turned to Aizawa, who was watching calmly. "Eraser Head, did you expect your students to be this powerful?"

"Not exactly," Aizawa replied evenly. "They're pushing each other, which is what brings out the best in them."

On the screen, the leaderboard showed Kaminari still in first, with Todoroki, Bakugo, and Midoriya fighting to catch up. But Kaminari's lead was impressive.

In the arena, Kaminari rocketed forward, his eyes focused intently on the path ahead. All those years of training in Omiya Park… every day, every hour, every bolt of electricity I pushed through myself. I won't let all that work go to waste!

As he neared the end of the minefield, he realized he was about to stall, his momentum dying as he approached the ground.

It's not over yet!

"100,000 Volts!" he yelled, releasing a massive burst of energy from his body in all directions.

The flash of golden electricity was blinding, surging outward in a wild storm that rattled the entire minefield.

"Is he insane?!" Todoroki shouted, blocking the shockwave with an ice wall. He couldn't understand why Kaminari was expending so much energy now, seemingly just to buy a few seconds.

But as the electricity surged, Kaminari used the blast to propel himself forward, the resulting shockwaves triggering all the mines around him. The entire minefield erupted in a chain reaction of explosions.

In the midst of the fiery chaos, Kaminari performed a final mid-air flip, riding the momentum to land neatly on the edge of the field, right before the final corridor.

With a smirk, Kaminari looked back at the chaotic explosions behind him and muttered to himself, "If only I'd looked back at that."

Without wasting another moment, he activated his "High-Speed Movement" once again and sprinted into the final corridor, leaving the minefield and his competition behind.

Chapter 83: Kaminari’s Provocation

"And here we have it—our first competitor returning to the stadium!"

Present Mic's voice boomed across the arena, amping up the crowd as Kaminari dashed through the tunnel and back onto the field.

"It's Kaminari… Denki!!" Present Mic shouted, practically vibrating with excitement.

The audience erupted in cheers, their voices reverberating through the stadium as if it was about to shake apart.

"Kaminari!"

"Kaminari!!"

"Kaminari!!!"

"Kaminari Denki of Class A! He's done exactly what he promised and taken the lead in the very first event!" Present Mic continued hyping up the crowd. "Let's look forward to his performance in the next rounds! Can he go all the way to the top?"

Kaminari's mom, sitting in the stands, clutched her hands to her chest, eyes bright with pride. "That's my son! Look at him go!"

Kaminari's dad, usually reserved, nodded with a wide grin. "Yeah… he's really something."

Meanwhile, far away in the League of Villains' hideout, a certain figure shrouded in darkness watched the live broadcast with sharp interest.

On the screen, Kaminari's electric form shone as he claimed victory. Standing nearby, Kurogiri observed the villain Tomura Shigaraki's reaction. Still battered from his last encounter with Kaminari, Shigaraki's eyes held a mixture of rage and something more determination.

"This brat…," Shigaraki muttered, his voice laced with bitterness.

The imposing figure in the shadows gave a low, amused hum. "Impressive control over his Quirk for his age… no wonder he gave you such trouble, Shigaraki."

Shigaraki's fists clenched as he continued to glare at the screen. "I'll make him pay for what he did."

---

Back at the stadium, one by one, the remaining contestants reached the finish line. First came Todoroki, then Midoriya, and finally Bakugo, fuming with rage as he realized he hadn't taken the top spot. The final rankings flashed across the four large screens in the arena.

1st Place – Kaminari Denki
2nd Place – Shoto Todoroki
3rd Place – Izuku Midoriya
4th Place – Katsuki Bakugo
5th Place – Ibara Shiozaki
6th Place – Hanta Sero
7th Place – Tenya Iida

As Kaminari laughed and celebrated with Kyoka, Momo, and Tetsutetsu, Bakugo's eyes narrowed into slits, his fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white.

"Damn it!" Bakugo seethed, his voice like a low growl. "Once again, he beat me to first place!"

Kirishima chuckled nervously, trying to calm him down. "C'mon, man, fourth place isn't so bad!"

"It's awful!" Bakugo exploded, his face twisted with frustration. "I'm the strongest, damn it! I'm not supposed to come in fourth!"

Meanwhile, Iida stared down at his own hands in dismay. How did I lose a speed contest?

But before he could dwell too long, Midnight's sultry voice echoed across the stadium as she announced the next event.

"Now that the first event has concluded, it's time for our second challenge!" She cracked her whip theatrically, pointing toward the virtual screen as it flickered and updated to display the words: "Cavalry Battle!"

"Oh? That sounds interesting," Kaminari mused, raising an eyebrow with a smirk.

Nearby, Asui looked puzzled, tilting her head. "A cavalry battle? Isn't that usually a team event? How will this work for an individual competition?"

Midnight smiled wickedly. "Good question! Here's how it works."

A virtual display appeared, showing diagrams of how the cavalry battle would work, with chibi versions of All Might, Present Mic, and Number Thirteen acting as models.

"Each contestant will form teams of two to four people, creating a 'horse' to carry one rider. The objective? To steal headbands from other teams!" Midnight explained, gesturing dramatically.

Momo adjusted her glasses thoughtfully. "So depending on the teammates you choose, your team's total point value will vary."

"Exactly!" Midnight confirmed, turning back to the contestants.

Kaminari noticed Kyoka giving him a glance from the corner of her eye. Despite her usual calm demeanor, she looked a little worried.

Still confident, huh? Kyoka thought, watching Kaminari as he casually brushed off the pressure.

Midnight continued with the explanation. "Now here's where it gets interesting. Each contestant's point value will depend on their ranking from the last event. The last-place finisher starts with 5 points, with each subsequent position earning 5 points more than the one before it."

Kaminari's smirk widened as he understood where this was going, but he kept quiet, waiting for the reveal.

Midnight paused, casting a dramatic glance at Kaminari, who raised an eyebrow in response. "And for our first-place finisher… well, the point value is… ten million!"

The arena fell silent as everyone stared at her in shock.

"T-Ten million?!" Kaminari stammered, caught off guard for a second.

Tetsutetsu's jaw dropped. "You've gotta be kidding me… Kaminari's worth ten million points?!"

As the realization sank in, Kaminari looked around to find himself suddenly surrounded by dozens of classmates from various classes, all eyeing him like a prize.

"So," Shinso from Class C muttered, eyeing Kaminari with a sly grin, "all we have to do is take down Kaminari's team, and we're guaranteed first place."

Class B, Class C, and even his own classmates from Class A looked at him with predatory glints in their eyes.

Midnight smirked as she watched the tension build. "That's right… the higher you rank, the bigger target you become. Kaminari, can you handle the pressure?"

Kaminari sighed internally. Well, this is just great. I knew I'd be a target, but this… this is next level.

He caught sight of his reflection on one of the big screens in the stadium, showing a close-up of his face as he processed the situation. The crowd was still cheering, the spotlight was on him, and for a moment, he felt the thrill of it all.

Ah, screw it.

Kaminari's smirk turned into a grin as he raised his head high, his voice loud and clear for everyone to hear.

"All right, then!" he shouted, his tone dripping with confidence. "Bring it on! I challenge every single one of you to try and take me down!"

Chapter 84: Twelve War Horses! Kaminari Leads!

Kaminari's bold words echoed across the arena, immediately captured by the stadium's cameras and broadcast on every screen, big and small.

For a moment, the entire place fell silent.

"…(0_0;)…"

Even Kaminari's parents, watching from the stands, were taken aback. Had he… really just taunted everyone else?

But only a heartbeat later, the audience erupted in cheers, laughter, and excited chatter. The students around Kaminari weren't nearly as amused.

"Did you seriously just say that, Kaminari?!" one contestant shouted, eyes blazing.

"Oh, you're going to regret this," muttered another, rolling their sleeves up.

"You're living in a dream, man!" someone else growled.

As the hostility built around him, Tetsutetsu, Kyoka, and Momo instinctively closed ranks, standing firm at Kaminari's side.

"Heh… Thunderbolt idiot," Bakugo muttered to himself, though a rare grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. For some reason, he found Kaminari's words oddly satisfying.

"Guess that's what makes you my rival!"

Meanwhile, Todoroki merely glanced over, his expression calm but slightly intrigued. Kaminari's confidence wasn't surprising to him; after all, he had a similar belief in his own abilities. He wouldn't have voiced it so bluntly, but… he could respect it.

Midoriya, on the other hand, shifted nervously. "Uh, maybe… maybe Kaminari went a bit too far?" he murmured, already worried about what his classmate had gotten himself into. He couldn't imagine facing that much pressure himself.

Nearby, Kaminari caught Momo and Kyoka exchanging glances, both looking mildly exasperated.

"Well, you've done it now," Momo said with a sigh.

Kaminari just gave her a playful shrug, though his smile had a hint of nervousness. "Might as well make things interesting, right?"

The final rules were announced by Midnight, who then gave everyone fifteen minutes to form their teams. Kaminari quickly took stock of the situation and grinned as he looked at the three people who had stuck by him.

"Well, it looks like you're the only ones willing to team up with me," he said, half-joking.

Momo crossed her arms, giving him a mock glare. "I wonder why."

Kyoka just sighed. "Yeah, Kaminari, you really brought this on yourself."

Ignoring the gentle scolding, Kaminari nodded toward Tetsutetsu. "Alright, Tetsutetsu, you're on front defense!"

"Leave it to me!" Tetsutetsu grinned, cracking his knuckles. "With my Quirk, we'll be unbreakable!"

Meanwhile, across the field, Kirishima was having a similar conversation with Bakugo. Both steel-quirk users caught sight of each other, and for a moment, the air between them crackled with competitive energy.

"I'll be the toughest 'horse' out there!" Tetsutetsu declared proudly.

"Not if I get there first!" Kirishima shot back, just as determined.

Kaminari, Kyoka, and Momo exchanged helpless glances at the two boys' rivalry. But Kaminari had a plan in mind and led his group over to the sidelines.

"Where are we going?" Yaoyorozu asked, curious.

Kaminari gave her a sheepish grin. "I'm running low on power after the last round, so I need a quick recharge. If I don't do it now, we'll be at a huge disadvantage."

Kyoka raised an eyebrow. "They're actually letting you recharge here?"

Kaminari grinned, shrugging. "Well, might as well ask, right?"

He managed to get permission from Midnight, who pointed him toward a charging station set up for situations like this. Seeing this, Tetsutetsu suddenly had an idea of his own.

"Hey, can I get some iron to munch on?" he asked, hopeful.

Midnight raised a brow, looking mildly exasperated. "Iron to… eat?"

Tetsutetsu nodded, explaining, "It's for my Quirk! It keeps my strength up."

After a quick call for confirmation, Midnight allowed it, and Tetsutetsu received a few metal plates to chew on. Soon, the four of them were gathered on the sidelines—Kaminari recharging, Tetsutetsu snacking on iron, and Kyoka and Momo watching with a mix of amusement and resignation.

"Alright, let's go over the plan," Kaminari said seriously, his hands gripping the charging station as sparks danced around him.

"Tetsutetsu, you'll be our front shield," he instructed, nodding toward the steel-user.

"Got it!" Tetsutetsu replied confidently. "I'll make sure nothing breaks through!"

Turning to Kyoka, Kaminari continued, "Kyoka, you'll cover our right side. Use your Quirk to destroy the ground if anyone gets too close."

"Understood," Kyoka said, recalling how effective that tactic had been during the entrance exam.

"And Momo," Kaminari said, giving her a nod. "You'll cover the left. I'll need you to make a hundred steel balls for me, fast. We might need to use the 'Lightning Chain' technique again."

Momo smiled, giving him a determined nod. "You've got it. We'll be ready."

With everyone clear on their roles, the group quickly got into formation. Before long, Midnight called everyone back to the starting line, signaling the end of their prep time.

"All contestants, take your positions!"

On the massive screens around the arena, each team was highlighted, introducing the lineups to the roaring crowd.

Team 1: Kaminari Denki, Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu, Yaoyorozu Momo, Jiro Kyoka
Team 2: Midoriya Izuku, Tokoyami Fumikage, Uraraka Ochaco, Hatsume Mei
Team 3: Todoroki Shoto, Iida Tenya, Ojiro Mashirao, Koda Koji
Team 4: Bakugo Katsuki, Kirishima Eijiro, Sero Hanta, Ashido Mina
Team 5: Shoji Mezo, Asui Tsuyu, Mineta Minoru
Team 6: Shinso Hitoshi, Shiozaki Ibara, Kosei Tsuburaba, Bondo Kojiro
Team 7: Honenuki Juzo, Hagakure Toru, Sato Rikido.
Team 8: Setsuna Tokage, Yanagi Reiko, Komori Kinoko, Shishida Jurota
Team 9: Monoma Neito, Kaibara Sen, Kuroiro Shihai, Shoda Nirengeki
Team 10: Manga Fukidashi, Hiryu Rin, Yui Kodai
Team 11: Pony Tsunotori, Togaru Kamakiri.
Team 12: Aoyama Yuga, Awase Yosetsu.

As the final teams assembled, Present Mic's voice echoed across the stadium, hyping up the audience one last time.

"Alright, let's get ready for this brutal cavalry battle!"

He began the countdown, and the crowd joined in, their voices thundering in unison.

"3!"

"2!"

"1!"

With a crack of Midnight's whip, she shouted, "Begin!"

Chapter 85: The Hero Circle’s Attention

"Charge!!"

"Get him!!"

Bakugo, perched on Kirishima's shoulders, roared as he charged towards Kaminari's team. Almost every other group on the field had the same idea, zeroing in on the team holding that coveted 10 million-point headband.

"I'll make you regret that arrogance, Kaminari!!"

"Yeah! It's all about the 10 million points now!"

Kaminari wasn't surprised by the attention—they'd painted a giant target on themselves the moment he took first place. But he remained unfazed, even grinning at the challenge.

"So, what's the plan, Kaminari?" Momo asked, her tone steady despite the incoming chaos.

Tetsutetsu and Kyoka were also waiting, ready to react on his command.

"We make a break for it!"

He raised an eyebrow and smirked at the camera that happened to zoom in on him, broadcasting his face across the stadium and to viewers everywhere.

"But first…" Kaminari extended his hands, placing them on Tetsutetsu, Kyoka, and Momo's shoulders.

"Time to boost your speed!"

With a burst of electricity, the three of them were suddenly wrapped in Kaminari's electric charge, crackling energy enhancing their movements.

"Let's move!"

In an instant, the Kaminari team shot across the field, moving in a blur. Their sudden burst of speed left everyone else scrambling to keep up.

"Don't let them get away!"

Nearby, Hagakure was shouting instructions from her perch atop Honenuki's shoulders. The Class B student activated his Quirk, "Softening," turning the ground beneath them into a viscous, muddy mess. It was a tactic designed to slow Kaminari's team down, but by the time the effect reached their position, Kaminari and his team had already sped past it.

"Whoa! The Kaminari team's moving at lightning speed!"

Present Mic's voice boomed over the speakers. "It seems like Kaminari's ability isn't just for himself—he's sharing that speed boost with his teammates!"

The observation didn't go unnoticed by professional heroes watching the event. Among them was Kamui Woods, who watched with keen interest from the stands, flanked by Mt. Lady and Death Arms.

"Impressive. A Quirk that can provide support like that is rare," Kamui mused. "We could use someone with that kind of utility in our agency."

Death Arms nodded. "I wonder how many people he can charge up like that. If it's more than three, his potential goes way beyond just combat."

"That's Kaminari, right? Midnight-senpai mentioned him," Mt. Lady chimed in, watching Kaminari's display with admiration.

On the field, Kaminari kept his eyes sharp. "Kyoka! Get ready!"

Without missing a beat, Kyoka extended her earphone jacks and drove them deep into the ground to their right.

"On it!"

The shockwave from Kyoka's Quirk tore through the ground, shattering it and creating an impassable terrain for the teams pursuing them. The tremor left Bakugo, Shoji, and other close pursuers struggling to keep their balance, forcing several teams to swerve away to avoid toppling.

"Ha! Nice one, Jiro!" Tetsutetsu grinned, thrilled by their teamwork.

"Feeling pumped now?" Kaminari teased, handing a bag of steel balls to Kyoka. "Here, this'll give us some extra firepower."

Kyoka nodded, securing the steel balls to use for defense.

"Let's keep moving," Momo said, glancing at the other groups catching up from behind. "If we keep up this pace, we'll be hard to catch."

But Kaminari's team wasn't the only one with determination. Across the field, Bakugo was growling with frustration, his face twisted in a scowl as he watched Kaminari pulling away.

"Kaminari, you're not getting away from me!" Bakugo roared. But before he could make a move, Monoma from Class B darted by and snagged the headband off Bakugo's head.

"Too slow, Class A," Monoma sneered, waving Bakugo's points in the air.

"Get back here, you bastard!!" Bakugo exploded, both literally and figuratively, propelling himself after Monoma with a series of fiery blasts.

Meanwhile, Class B had adopted a surprising strategy. Realizing they couldn't keep up with Kaminari's speed, they'd decided to target other Class A teams instead, stripping them of their points. In a matter of minutes, the only Class A teams still holding onto their headbands were Kaminari's, Midoriya's, and Todoroki's.

On the sidelines, Kaminari observed the field with a smirk. "Class B decided to gang up on us, huh? That actually works in our favor."

"Why's that?" Momo asked.

"It means we're not facing everyone at once. We can focus on just a few groups at a time."

As if on cue, Mineta's team charged toward them, Mineta's face set with grim determination as he held a handful of his sticky grape balls.

"This is it! With the other teams occupied, we can just go for Kaminari!"

At the same time, Todoroki's team was maneuvering to cut them off at the edge of the field. Todoroki, riding atop Iida's shoulders, had been watching Kaminari carefully, waiting for the right moment to intercept.

"You've been circling the edge to avoid confrontation," Todoroki observed, "but there's only so much space. You can't run forever."

Iida nodded in agreement. "And with my engine Quirk, we won't lose in a straight race."

Kaminari grinned at the sight of his opponent. "Well, Todoroki, I guess you finally caught up."

But despite the growing pressure, Kaminari didn't flinch. Instead, he looked over his shoulder at the camera focused on him and, in true showman fashion, flashed a confident smile.

"You might be fast, Iida, but you'll have to catch us first!"

The timer on the scoreboard continued to count down, but Kaminari and his team kept moving, their high-speed movements creating a whirlwind on the field. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, their cheers growing louder with each second.

"Will Kaminari's team hold onto their 10 million points?" Present Mic's excited commentary filled the air. "Or will Todoroki, Bakugo, or one of Class B's dark horses manage to turn the tables?"

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 86: Aizawa’s Shock

"Less than five minutes left—time to go all out!"

With that declaration, Todoroki launched himself off Iida's shoulders. As he descended, a fierce burst of icy wind erupted from his right foot, creating a towering icicle beneath him.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Present Mic shouted into his microphone, his voice echoing across the stadium. "He's left his horse! Is that allowed?!"

Midnight, watching from her station, hesitated before responding. "According to the rules… as long as he doesn't touch the ground and maintains some contact with his team, it's allowed!"

Hearing this, Bakugo smirked from across the field. "If that's how it works, then fine by me!"

Without a second thought, Bakugo leapt off Kirishima's shoulders, launching himself forward with explosive blasts from his palms. He tore through the air, eyes locked on Monoma, who had stolen his headband moments ago. With a savage grin, Bakugo snatched it back from Monoma's neck in one swift motion.

"Get lost, side characters!" Bakugo sneered, glancing around at the dazed Monoma team before turning his eyes towards Kaminari, who was encircled by an imposing wall of ice Todoroki had erected around him.

"Next up, it's you, Kaminari!"

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the field, Midoriya's team was busy securing their own points. Tokoyami's Dark Shadow stood at attention, keeping a lookout. "Midoriya, our score's looking solid. What's the plan?"

Midoriya adjusted the headband he'd just snagged from another Class B team. "Let's play it safe! With Hatsume's gear, we've got a height advantage. Let's stay airborne and defend what we have!"

But inside the ice wall surrounding Kaminari's team, something unexpected was brewing. A sudden, blinding golden light shone from within, piercing through the ice and filling the stadium with a brilliant glow.

A Minute Earlier

"There are less than five minutes left," Todoroki muttered, perched on top of his icicle. "It's time to end this."

With that, he unleashed a wave of icy spikes, directing them at Kaminari's team to immobilize Tetsutetsu, Kyoka, and Momo. His intention was clear: to trap them, making it impossible for them to escape.

"Go for both teams! Take all their points!" Mineta yelled, hurling his sticky purple balls from another direction, while Asui's tongue whipped out, aiming to snatch the headband from Kaminari's neck.

At the same time, Tsunotori from Class B, riding on her teammate's shoulders, lowered her head. The tips of her horns glowed before she fired two energy blasts from them, targeting the left and right sides of Kaminari's team to box them in.

Seeing the incoming onslaught, Kyoka turned to Kaminari, her voice tense. "Kaminari! We're surrounded!"

Kaminari's eyes narrowed with determination. "Leave it to me!"

In one fluid motion, he grabbed a handful of steel balls crafted earlier by Momo and sent a weak electric charge through each of them. Then he tossed them out in a wide arc. As they hovered in midair, he held out his hands, letting golden electricity surge between his palms and the steel balls, forming an intricate web of electrified lines around them.

Within seconds, Kaminari's "Lightning Chain" had transformed into a defensive net. Hundreds of electric lines crisscrossed in front of them, intercepting Todoroki's icy spikes, Mineta's sticky balls, and Tsunotori's energy blasts.

The attacks hit the electric web with a series of loud clashes, generating flashes of light and bursts of steam as the cold met Kaminari's intense heat.

"Perfect!" Kaminari thought to himself as he maintained the current flowing through his hands. "Turns out I only need to power this 'Lightning Chain' through my hands instead of my whole body. This works way better!"

Suddenly, a scream echoed from nearby.

"Ahhh!" Asui cried out in pain as her extended tongue touched Kaminari's electrified web, sending a shock straight through her. The electric current traveled down to Mineta and Shoji, who were part of her team, and they all dropped to the ground from the shock.

In the stands, Present Mic was quick to react. "Oh no! Shoji's team has taken a direct shock! Is Kaminari's team going to get disqualified?!"

But Midnight quickly reviewed the replay and shook her head. "Nope! Kaminari didn't attack them directly. Asui's tongue accidentally made contact with his electric field while she was trying to grab their points. The shock was an unintended consequence of their own actions."

She raised her whip, making the call official. "Shoji's team is disqualified for landing on the ground, but Kaminari's team is still in play!"

The crowd gasped, the tension palpable. Kaminari's defensive technique had not only held strong, but it had also inadvertently taken out an entire team without breaking any rules.

"He's using those steel balls with an electric field… that's a clever application," Aizawa murmured from the announcer's booth, his eyes fixed on Kaminari's handiwork. "This 'Lightning Chain'—it's versatile. It works defensively and offensively, can be used alone or in a group. That kid's got serious potential."

Present Mic nodded enthusiastically. "Wow! That's gotta be a signature move, right?"

But Aizawa's keen eyes noticed something else happening on the field. Kaminari was shifting the steel balls around, each one moving in a controlled orbit around him, their paths guided by his electromagnetic field. The currents connecting them began to rotate, creating a vortex of crackling electricity.

The currents intertwined, forming a spinning wall of lightning that encircled Kaminari's team, shielding them from all angles. The sheer energy radiating from the vortex was enough to keep even Todoroki at bay, who had momentarily retreated with Iida.

From the stands, All Might watched Kaminari with wide eyes. "Could it be…? Has he already developed a technique of this level?"

Kaminari's "Lightning Chain" was now a defensive barrier, but as he increased the speed of the rotation, he turned it into something far more formidable.

Aizawa's narrowed his eyes, his normally stoic face betraying a flicker of awe. "He's… manipulating the electricity so precisely. That's beyond anything I've seen from him so far."

Chapter 87: Absolute Defense

Not only the students but All Might and several other teachers on the hero side of the faculty bench stood up instinctively, their faces showing shock.

In the back of the auditorium, Endeavor leaned against the wall, watching the fight with a focused intensity. His cold blue eyes narrowed as he took in the scene.

The source of their astonishment was the "electric field" rapidly spinning clockwise around Kaminari's team at high speed.

No, that's not quite right.

This was no longer just a "field" or even a "lightning chain." It looked more like… an inverted, golden, dome-shaped current shield touching the ground.

"A defensive barrier made of lightning?" Midnight murmured from her spot on the sidelines, as bewildered as anyone else.

"Just as I thought..."

On the battlefield, Kaminari sat atop Tetsutetsu, his golden eyes half-closed as he focused intently on the steel balls spinning faster and faster under his control.

The previous times he'd used this "Lightning Chain" technique, it had been rushed. He hadn't had a chance to really feel the changes in his control. But this time was different.

Having attempted it twice already, he now had a better sense of what he was doing. With practice, the technique was becoming smoother. Practice really does make perfect.

This time, while maintaining the "Lightning Chain," he'd felt a strange sensation, as if he could influence the steel balls with both his current and his mind. Following that instinct, he had tentatively tested it... and the steel ball he focused on had actually moved!

If he could control one, could he control all of them?

Before long, all of the steel balls moved in sync, causing Momo and the others to watch in concern. They knew that if something went wrong with Kaminari's move, they'd all be in serious trouble.

But the situation was unfolding beyond anyone's expectations.

Once Kaminari realized he could control the steel balls and grew more confident in his abilities, his mind began racing with possibilities.

"If I can manipulate steel balls with my electric field, could I make a steel plate and fly on it?"

The thought flashed through his mind, a memory from the first obstacle course still fresh—he'd struggled with not being able to fly back then, and it had clearly stuck with him. Naturally, the idea of soaring through the air was appealing.

He even had a mental image of an imposing, helmeted man with white hair, standing proudly, appearing before him.

"If I keep improving this skill, maybe I could do something like Magneto."

The image faded, replaced by a young girl with short brown hair and a confident look.

"Or perhaps, I could study moves like the "Iron Sand" techniques that Electric Princess uses..."

But those were goals for another day. Right now, his priority was defense, especially since the rules prevented him from taking the initiative to attack.

Just then, another figure surfaced in his mind, a stoic boy with dark hair and piercing white eyes, as an idea sparked.

Rotation Defense... Just like Hakkeshou Kaiten!

His vision was clear: to use a hundred steel balls, spinning in a circular motion around him like a top, creating a powerful centrifugal force to deflect any incoming attacks.

Compared to his previous "Lightning Chain," this technique offered several distinct advantages.

First, it consumed far less energy. This move relied mostly on centrifugal force for defense, so he didn't need to increase his electric output, just keep a low-level current going.

Second, it provided much better coverage. The "Lightning Chain" created a mesh of linear currents that inevitably left some gaps. But now, by forming a continuous barrier, he'd eliminated those weaknesses.

Finally, this new move boasted far stronger defensive power. The "Lightning Chain" had always been more offensive in nature. Although he could use it for defense, it was nowhere near as specialized as this full-on defensive shield.

"Yeah... this is my absolute defense," Kaminari declared confidently to everyone around him.

"Thunder Aegis!"

"Boom!"

Behind him, the ice wall shielding Todoroki's team suddenly shattered. Bakugo, Kirishima, and the others surged through the gap and froze, eyes widening as they caught sight of the "golden light" source.

"What the hell is that?!" Bakugo exclaimed in surprise.

No one answered him, though. Todoroki and the others were too focused on the shimmering, inverted golden dome standing between them and Kaminari's team.

"Absolute defense?" Todoroki murmured, his gaze sharpening as he sneered slightly. "You're as full of yourself as ever, Kaminari."

Without another word, he leaped up onto a nearby icicle and activated his ice Quirk, creating a cascade of icicles that rained down like an avalanche.

If he hadn't been worried about potentially hurting Kaminari and his teammates, he might have gone as far as to summon his largest ice wall and crush them outright.

"Boom!!!"

The collision of dozens of icicles against the radiant "Thunder Aegis" filled the stadium with explosive energy, capturing the attention of all 120,000 spectators, and even the groups outside the ice wall couldn't help but look their way.

It was clear that the intensity of the clash between Kaminari and Todoroki was on another level entirely.

"Hey! Isn't this a bit much for just a game?!" Present Mic shouted into his microphone, his voice filled with shock.

All the stadium screens zoomed in on Kaminari's location, though the cameras struggled to capture a clear image through the thick fog of ice and steam.

"Dear, look!"

Kaminari's mother clutched his father's arm tightly, her face filled with worry. "Is our son going to be alright?"

Kaminari's father remained silent, his heart racing with anxiety. Even though Kaminari had declared that he had an "absolute defense," Todoroki's attacks looked overwhelming.

"He'll be fine, I'm sure of it," he finally said, trying to reassure her. "We have to trust him."

As the steam gradually dispersed under the bright sunlight, a familiar golden glow emerged from within, shining even more brilliantly than before.

Relief washed over Kaminari's parents, their worry replaced by pride and joy as they saw their son's defenses holding strong.

"How… how is that possible?"

Todoroki, still standing atop the icicle, could no longer maintain his stoic expression. He stared in disbelief at the golden dome, which continued to spin calmly among the remnants of his shattered ice.

Even though he hadn't used his full "ice wall" move, he'd still put all his strength into the attack. Yet, Kaminari's "absolute defense" had blocked it with ease.

"Incredible…"

Aizawa, pressed up against the glass of the observation deck, murmured in amazement. He watched Kaminari's "Thunder Aegis" with an intensity that made him look almost like a mummy lost in awe.

"To turn something as wild and volatile as lightning into something so controlled and disciplined…"

"His creativity is remarkable, but the precision in his control of electromagnetic forces is equally impressive."

As a Pro Hero who values technique and skill, Aizawa was more sensitive to such subtleties than most.

"Three minutes left!" Midnight called, her voice echoing through the arena.

Chapter 88: Bakugo's Frustration

"Huh? Absolute defense?"

Bakugo looked at the "Thunder Aegis" in front of him with surprise, then sneered with a mocking grin. "Seriously? Didn't think a flashy, wannabe like you would be talking big. What a joke!"

Kaminari just shrugged, still smiling. "Less talking, more doing. If you think you can break it, go ahead."

"Oh, I'll do more than that," Bakugo growled, his face twisting into a fierce scowl. "I'm blowing this stupid shield of yours to bits!"

With a vicious glint in his eyes, Bakugo extended his right hand toward the "Thunder Aegis." He was smart enough not to make direct contact, keeping a safe distance of about a meter, before activating his Quirk with full force.

BOOM!

The explosion erupted, sending fire and black smoke surging toward the "Thunder Aegis" in an intense wave. Bakugo watched eagerly, fully expecting his blast to leave some kind of dent.

But as the smoke cleared, the golden shield remained unscathed, its light undiminished. Bakugo's expression faltered, disbelief filling his face.

"No… no way!"

He stared, stunned, at the unblemished shield in front of him.

"Setting off fireworks for the crowd, are we?" Kaminari chuckled. His calm demeanor only served to make Todoroki and the others feel like he was taunting them.

"Go on, give it all you've got! Let's see what you can do."

In truth, Kaminari was also curious about the limits of his "Thunder Aegis," and he couldn't help but want to test it further.

"You arrogant lightning freak!" Bakugo snapped back, seething. He glanced at his classmates and barked, "Back up! Unless you want to get blown away, don't blame me for not warning you!"

"Bakugo! What are you planning?" Kirishima asked, concerned.

"Quit the questions and just move back!" Bakugo gave Kirishima a light shove, then turned to Sero. "Be ready to pull me back when I give the signal, got it?"

"Huh? Uh… yeah, sure!" Sero stammered, nodding as he processed Bakugo's request.

Meanwhile, Todoroki stood on his ice pillar, conflicted. He considered using his strongest "Iceberg" attack, but hesitated, worried about causing serious harm to Kaminari's team. The last thing he wanted was to be disqualified.

"Fine… let that guy give it a shot first," Todoroki thought, eyeing Bakugo, who was clearly preparing something big.

Bakugo, crouched on Kirishima's back, glared daggers at Kaminari within the golden barrier.

"Lightning idiot, watch as I break through your little bubble!"

BOOM!

With a fierce leap off Kirishima's back, Bakugo propelled himself high into the air. Using explosions from his palms, he rocketed toward the "Thunder Aegis" like a missile.

"Sure, this is gonna strain my arms, but…" Bakugo gritted his teeth, his eyes blazing with determination. "I'm sick of that smug grin of yours!"

"Take this!" he roared, his hands coming together in a powerful stance as he reached the shield.

"HOWITZER IMPACT!"

With every ounce of strength he had, Bakugo unleashed a massive explosion, his Quirk roaring to its absolute limit. The resulting blast was so intense that even the spectators on the far side of the stadium could feel its heat. Thick black smoke flooded the screens, obscuring everything from view.

The shockwave forced everyone back—Kirishima and Sero were thrown off balance, and Todoroki, standing on his ice pillar, nearly toppled over, barely catching the edge to steady himself. The powerful wind whipped around him, making his clothes and hair flutter wildly.

"What a massive explosion… I didn't realize he could push his Quirk this far!"

"I hope no one got hurt…"

Cementoss, who was supposed to oversee the match as a referee, had silently joined Midnight on the sidelines. His face mirrored her concern.

"That… that was intense," Midnight muttered, clutching her whip tightly. "We didn't anticipate this level of combat so early in the tournament."

"Yeah," Cementoss agreed, his voice heavy. "If any of the students are seriously injured, it'll mean we failed in our responsibilities as pro heroes..."

In the moment of chaos, there had been no time to intervene.

It took nearly a full minute for the thick smoke to clear, finally revealing the scene within. As the haze lifted, the steady, golden light of the "Thunder Aegis" came into view once more.

"This… this can't be happening!"

Bakugo, who had been yanked back by Sero's tape just in time, sat perched on Kirishima's back, staring in disbelief. The "Thunder Aegis" continued to spin in place, completely unaffected.

"Are you kidding me? That… that was my strongest attack!"

Bakugo's arms were sore, throbbing from the strain. But more than that, his confidence had taken a hit.

"If my max power didn't even scratch this thing… does that mean… that lightning idiot is actually stronger than me?!"

As the realization hit, Bakugo's face darkened.

"Wow… it's holding up even better than I thought," Kaminari murmured, glancing at the stunned expressions of his opponents outside the shield.

"I really didn't expect this lightning-based 'Rotating Shield' to be so durable."

"Wait…"

Kaminari suddenly noticed something odd. Tiny cracks were beginning to form on the steel balls that served as the core nodes of his "Thunder Aegis."

"So Bakugo's attack did have an effect after all."

"If he had hit me with that same blast a second time, this shield probably would've shattered."

Kaminari took note of this weakness. He knew he would have to find a way to strengthen the shield's durability, perhaps by eventually moving beyond the steel balls and manipulating pure electric current alone.

He clenched his fist, looking at the golden current dancing around his hand. He made a mental note to push his technique further in the future.

"One day, this move will be a true 'Thunder Aegis.' A real absolute defense."

Just then, the roar of the audience broke his train of thought. The 120,000 spectators who had witnessed the clash erupted into cheers, their excitement spilling over.

"Did you see that?! Did you see it?!"

"Man, these first-years are something else!"

"Is this what it's like to face off against villains already?"

"Yeah, we haven't seen this kind of strength in a first-year class in years!"

Chapter 89: Aftermath

On screen, Todoroki stood on a high ice pillar, his expression cold and resolute. "Alright, Kaminari," he muttered, "I won't hold back."

With a surge of power, a massive wave of ice exploded from Todoroki, creating a towering iceberg that surged forward like an unstoppable force.

"Stop!!"

Cementoss, the teacher responsible for overseeing the match, reacted immediately. He slammed his hands onto the ground, activating his Quirk. Thick cement walls rose up one after another between Todoroki's iceberg and Kaminari's "Thunder Aegis." In his rush, he created nearly ten stacked barriers to absorb the impact.

"Whoa… that's the power of a pro hero…" one student murmured, awed by Cementoss's quick thinking and strength.

On the big screen, viewers could only watch as Todoroki's ice crashed through wall after wall, advancing relentlessly toward the golden "Thunder Aegis." But then, as the ice met the electrified shield, the clash of extreme cold and intense heat produced a massive cloud of steam, engulfing the entire stadium in thick white mist.

"It's so… cold…"

"What a spectacle!"

Hundreds of thousands of spectators, along with the heroes in the stands, rose to their feet, trying to see through the fog that now filled the stadium. The whole scene looked like something out of a dream or a fairytale landscape.

"These three… they're all first-years?"

"That's insane. I don't think even many third-years could pull off moves like that!"

While the audience held their breath, the timer on the big screen continued to count down. Finally, when it hit 00:00, the screen displayed two bold letters:

TIME-UP

But Present Mic, who was supposed to announce the results, was unusually silent. Like everyone else, he was staring into the fog, eagerly awaiting a glimpse of the aftermath.

"What happened?"

"Did the 'Thunder Aegis' hold up?"

All around the world, viewers watching on TV or online shared the same thought. Kaminari's parents sat forward in their seats, anxiety etched across their faces. Todoroki's iceberg had been so massive that even those outside the stadium could see its peak rising above the walls.

As the minutes ticked by, the fog slowly started to dissipate, but the scene within was still unclear. Impatience spread through the crowd, and someone shouted, "Can't Cementoss do something to clear the mist?"

"Yeah, who won? We want to know!"

Just as the tension hit its peak, a gentle breeze seemed to arrive from nowhere, swirling through the stadium and helping to clear the lingering mist.

When visibility returned, the entire audience gasped at what they saw.

On the screen, the golden "Thunder Aegis" was gone. In its place lay fragments of metal scattered around Kaminari, Tetsutetsu, Momo, and Kyoka. Surrounding them on all sides were towering walls of ice, still radiating an intense chill even under the hot summer sun.

From above, the scene looked like a perfect circle—a small "valley" of safety amidst Todoroki's frozen wasteland.

"That was… close," Kaminari muttered, climbing down from Tetsutetsu's shoulders. He glanced around, taking in the near-disastrous scene. Then he looked toward Todoroki, who stood in the distance, eyes wide with surprise.

"If Cementoss hadn't put up those walls to absorb some of the impact… we might've been seriously hurt."

WHOA!!!

A deafening roar rose from the crowd, the combined cheers of 120,000 spectators echoing through the stadium. The overwhelming noise momentarily stunned Kaminari, Todoroki, Bakugo, and the others, leaving them with the odd sensation of being almost deafened.

Finally, Present Mic regained his composure, grabbed his mic, and let out an excited shout.

"EVERYBODY!"

"DID-YOU-SEE-THAT?!"

"Kaminari's 'Thunder Aegis' withstood Todoroki's 'Iceberg' attack!"

"He wasn't kidding! That move really is an 'absolute defense!' Not even some pro heroes could break it head-on!"

The crowd erupted into even louder cheers. Coming from a veteran hero like Present Mic, his endorsement of the "Thunder Aegis" left an impact on both the audience and the professionals watching.

In the stands, pro heroes from across Japan exchanged looks, nodding in agreement. None of them spoke up to disagree, they all knew the truth of what they had witnessed.

A few of the pros, already making mental notes, began to speak excitedly among themselves.

"We need to get him to intern with us!"

"When he graduates, we're offering him a job no question about it!"

They recognized the value of Kaminari's unique skill set. Not only could he bolster his team with support, but he also had an incredibly resilient defense. In the hero world, that kind of versatility was rare and highly prized.

Meanwhile, inside the stadium, Momo was still processing everything that had happened. She turned to Kaminari, a bit dazed. "We… won? Just like that?"

Kyoka nodded, sharing her bewilderment. "It feels like we didn't even have to do much…"

"Yeah!" Tetsutetsu grumbled with a laugh. "I didn't even get to show off my 'steel warhorse' durability! I just stood there like a statue!"

Kaminari glanced at them, shaking his head with a small smile. "Hey, a win's a win, right?"

But in his mind, he thought to himself, Was it really that easy? We almost didn't make it out of that…

As the crowd's cheers continued, Present Mic's voice rang out once more, announcing the final results.

"And now, the top four teams!"

"In first place, Team Kaminari!"

"Kaminari Denki has delivered on his promise! Flawless performance!"

"Second place goes to Team Bakugo!"

"Damn it!!" Bakugo, who had been sitting on the ground, pounded his fists against the floor in frustration, looking like he'd just lost a championship rather than placed second. Behind him, Kirishima, Sero, and Ashido exchanged helpless glances.

"Third place, Team Todoroki!"

Todoroki stared silently at Kaminari from across the arena, his expression unreadable. His left side, where his Quirk produced heat, began to melt the frost still clinging to his right. In the stands, Endeavor watched his son with a hard expression, his displeasure clear.

"And in fourth place… Team Shinso? Wait, when did they make it in?" Present Mic asked, sounding genuinely confused.

In the crowd, Shinso, a student from the General Studies department, just gave a quiet, confident smile. While Kaminari and the others had dominated the spotlight, Shinso had quietly been making moves of his own.

"Phew, we did it!" Midoriya sighed in relief, jumping off Tokoyami's shoulders. He celebrated with Uraraka and their teammates. Even if they hadn't reached the top four, they had done well, and that was something to be proud of.

"And now, folks, we'll be taking an hour-long lunch break!"

"Get ready, because this afternoon, it's time for the final showdown!"

As the announcer's voice faded, Mic turned to his partner, Aizawa, who had just settled back into his seat with his usual sleepy look.

"Hey, Eraser Head, wanna grab a bite together?"

Aizawa simply muttered, "Sleep…"

Chapter 90: Bakugo's Perfect Fit

With Present Mic's announcement, the audience began to leave the stadium in a lively, excited commotion. Ordinary spectators exited through the guest entrances, talking animatedly about the thrilling events they'd just witnessed. Outside, the food stalls bustled with activity as vendors scrambled to serve the wave of hungry attendees.

Inside, the participants headed through a separate entrance, making their way to the U.A. cafeteria for lunch. To encourage student participation in the Sports Festival, U.A. had promised free meals for all contestants on the day of the event.

"Man, I'm starving..." Tetsutetsu clutched his stomach as he walked along with the crowd. "I was so focused on the competition that I didn't notice, but now I feel like I've burned through everything I ate this morning."

Kaminari laughed and clapped Tetsutetsu on the shoulder. "You really did work hard today. Not only did you run a few kilometers in the first event, but you also carried me all over the place!"

After a moment of thought, Kaminari made a generous gesture to Tetsutetsu, Kyoka, and Momo. "Tell you what, lunch is on me today! Order whatever you like. Don't hold back!"

"Really? That's awesome!" Tetsutetsu cheered, clearly thrilled. "This is the first time you're treating me!"

"That's not true," Kaminari retorted with a grin. "Didn't I treat you to pork cutlet rice once before?"

Soon, Kaminari and his fellow Class 1-A students gathered in one area of the cafeteria, food trays in hand, and started chatting away. They had a lot to talk about after everything that had happened.

At that moment, Momo, who had just taken a bite of bread, looked at Kaminari and asked him a rather unexpected question. "Kaminari, have you decided on my 'band mascot' yet?"

Kaminari, in the middle of scooping up a piece of tofu, paused in surprise. He quickly regained his composure and chuckled, "Wow, you're really invested in this, huh?"

"Of course," Momo replied earnestly. She glanced at Kyoka, then continued, "Since I'm part of the 'Pikachu Band' now, I can't be the only one without a mascot. You and Kyoka already have yours, so why shouldn't I get one too?"

"So… have you figured it out?" She fixed him with an expectant look. "And don't try to dodge the question. If you don't have an answer, I might just stop teaching you about electromagnetism!"

Kaminari burst into laughter. Seeing Momo, usually so composed, act so eager was both amusing and refreshing. He finally put down his spoon and raised his right hand in front of him.

"I've already thought of something for you, actually. And I think it fits your vibe perfectly."

"Zap! Zap!"

In the next moment, a soft glow of golden electricity sparked in Kaminari's palm. The current was delicate and controlled, not chaotic at all. Gradually, the electric light formed into the shape of a small, elegant creature, shimmering with a warm, golden glow.

"So pretty…" Mina, Ochaco, Tsuyu, and the other girls looked at it in awe.

"Whoa, Kaminari, can you really do that?" Midoriya was equally astonished. "If you can create three-dimensional shapes with electricity, does that mean you could also form maps or layouts? That could be super useful during hero missions!"

Leave it to Midoriya to immediately start analyzing the potential applications, Kaminari thought with a smile. They really did think alike sometimes.

"Kaminari, what's her name?" Momo asked, her eyes fixed on the glowing creature.

Kyoka was also curious. Although she liked her own mascot, she couldn't help but notice that Momo's looked… classier. She couldn't shake the slight pang of jealousy.

"This one's called Ninetales," Kaminari explained, gesturing to the elegantly shaped creature in his hand. "It's the evolved form of Vulpix and is a Fire-type Pokémon. It has these ruby-like eyes that can cast a strange light to control minds, and its flames are incredibly powerful. It can use moves like Flamethrower, Explosion, and Overheat."

He then raised his left hand, forming a smaller, cuter version of the creature—a Vulpix.

"This is Vulpix, its earlier form," he added.

As Momo listened to his explanation, her eyes sparkled with excitement. The more she looked at Ninetales, the more she adored it. There was a graceful, noble air about the creature that resonated with her deeply.

"If I were to turn into a Pokémon… maybe this is what I'd look like," Momo thought with a soft smile.

Meanwhile, Kyoka couldn't resist asking, "Why is it a Fire-type, though? That doesn't really match Momo's Quirk."

"Well…" Kaminari shrugged with a sheepish grin. "There aren't any Pokémon with a 'creation' ability like Momo's. So I had to pick one that matched her personality instead."

"It's perfect. I love it!" Momo beamed. "When will the merchandise be out? I want to fill my room with it!"

Kaminari chuckled, "Well, normally it'd be a while before Ninetales shows up in the show… but we can always have some special merchandise made just for you!"

Momo's smile grew wider. Kaminari's thoughtfulness was clearly appreciated.

Seeing this, Mina spoke up, "Hey! Does that mean we'll get Pokémon mascots too? Remember, we signed the character rights contract!"

Kaminari looked around at the hopeful faces and laughed. "You'll definitely show up in future episodes, but I haven't decided on exclusive mascots for everyone yet. Momo's is just for the band."

As he said this, Kaminari's gaze drifted toward Bakugo, who was eating Mapo tofu a few seats away, obviously listening in despite pretending not to care.

Kaminari grinned mischievously. "Actually, I've got a couple of Pokémon in mind that are a perfect match for Bakugo."

Midoriya's eyes lit up with interest. "Wait, really? There are Pokémon with Bakugo's… temperament?"

"What did you say, Deku?!" Bakugo's head snapped up, glaring at Midoriya. "You got a problem with my personality?! Say it again, I dare you!"

Kirishima and the others exchanged knowing looks, clearly amused by Bakugo's outburst. But they, too, were curious to see which Pokémon Kaminari had picked.

Kaminari formed the two creatures in his hands, and immediately everyone's eyes were drawn to their fiery, fierce appearances. These Pokémon looked intense, just like Bakugo.

"These are…?" Kyoka asked, eyeing the glowing forms with a mix of fascination and unease.

Kaminari grinned. "Infernape and Magmar."

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 91: Self-Esteem and Goals.

The lunch break wasn't long, just about an hour, enough time for everyone to grab a bite and chat a bit. During this time, Kaminari took the opportunity to slip away to the bathroom and call his parents outside the venue.

His parents sounded overjoyed on the phone, clearly ecstatic about his performance that morning. Kaminari couldn't blame them; today had been a big win. He could already imagine how lively his fan page on MTV Japan must be, with his follower count probably shooting up.

Meanwhile, Minoru Mineta had earned a new nickname among the class: "The Incarnation of Lust." He'd just told Momo and the other girls, with an absurdly serious expression, that there was a "message from a substitute teacher" instructing them to dress like cheerleaders and compete in a cheerleading event.

Of course, Kaminari immediately knew it was nonsense. With Aizawa-sensei's personality, if there had really been an official notice from the school, he would've mentioned it directly or even come in person. He'd never rely on a student to pass on such a message.

But… Kaminari chose not to expose Mineta's lie. It was rare to see the girls all dressed up in cheerleading uniforms, after all. So why not enjoy the sight?

Before long, all the contestants gathered back in the stadium, and the audience filled up the stands once more.

"Alright! Lunch break is over, and it's time to announce the final event!" Present Mic, the commentator, sounded even more enthusiastic than in the morning, probably because he'd had a good meal and some rest.

"But before that, I have good news for everyone who didn't make it to the finals!" he continued with a big grin. "Since this is a sports festival, the school has prepared some fun activities that everyone can join! And we've even invited a professional cheerleading team from the United States to get everyone hyped! Isn't that exciting?"

However, as soon as he said this, both Mic and Aizawa-sensei noticed something odd about Class A's girls.

"Huh? What's going on with Class A? Is this some kind of… fan service?" Mic's words echoed across the stadium as the camera zoomed in on Momo, Kyoka, and the other girls from Class A, who were now wearing cute, youthful cheerleading outfits but looked less than thrilled.

Well… needless to say, they managed to attract more attention than the professional cheerleaders.

"Not bad at all. Looks good," Kaminari said with a grin, openly admiring the girls' outfits. Meanwhile, most of the other boys in Class A looked away awkwardly, too embarrassed to stare.

"Yes!!" Mineta, the "mastermind" behind the scene, looked completely smug. "Ahh, I am a genius!!"

"Mineta-kun! You totally lied to us, didn't you?!" Momo glared at him, her face flushed with embarrassment. Kyoka, equally red-faced, threw down her pom-poms in frustration. Little did she know that her outfit had already captured the attention of some far-off fans who were planning to record it for their own memories.

"I've got to get the video footage of this later and make it my desktop background!" a fan muttered from the audience.

At this point, Mic decided it was time to move on. Due to the limited time, he quickly resumed his role as emcee, and the four giant screens switched to display a pyramid-shaped tournament bracket.

"After the entertainment events, we'll start the one-on-one elimination round, with the twenty students who advanced in the previous events!"

Mic continued, "Since we have an odd number of competitors, two people will have to compete in an extra round to keep the brackets even. They'll have an extra match before moving to the next round."

"Isn't that unfair to those two?" Uraraka asked with a frown.

Midnight-sensei, who was overseeing the event, addressed the question through her mic. "It may seem unfair, yes, but as aspiring heroes, we want to teach you all an important lesson. In life, unexpected challenges and unfair situations are bound to happen. Facing these calmly is an essential quality for any pro hero."

In other words, there wasn't really a fairer way to handle it, so they had to deal with it as best they could. U.A. rules.

"Alright, let's start with the Kaminari group, who placed first, to draw lots and decide the match-ups," Midnight announced, smiling warmly at the students. But just as the first group prepared to draw, Ojiro and Koda from Class A both raised their hands.

"Sorry to interrupt!" they said in unison, glancing at each other with surprise.

"I want to withdraw," Ojiro said firmly.

There was a collective gasp from the students. Midnight herself looked stunned, clearly not expecting this.

"Why, Ojiro?" Midoriya called out in disbelief. "You worked so hard to make it this far!"

"Yeah, you know how rare this opportunity is, don't you?" Toru Hagakure added, her invisible hands waving in distress.

Ojiro clenched his fists. "It's because I don't remember anything from the Cavalry Battle. I think that guy's Quirk must have affected me somehow."

He glanced briefly at Hitoshi Shinso, who looked straight ahead, unfazed. "I know how valuable this opportunity is, and I know it might seem foolish to give it up… but I can't, in good conscience, take a spot in the finals when I didn't earn it through my own efforts."

Hearing this, Kaminari felt a newfound respect for Ojiro.

While the girls around tried to comfort Ojiro, he covered his face, his voice trembling with emotion. "No… this is about my pride. I just… can't accept it."

Koda stepped forward, scratching his head in embarrassment. "As for me… I don't think I'm suited for one-on-one battles in this kind of setting. My Quirk… it's called 'Anivoice.' I can control animals, but…"

He glanced around the noisy stadium. "There are no animals here. Even pigeons and birds stay away from such a loud environment."

Midnight gave him a sympathetic smile. "Alright, Koda, I understand."

Then, one of the Class B students, Shoda, also stepped forward. "I'd like to withdraw as well. My reasons are the same as Ojiro's from Class A. Letting someone who hasn't done anything meaningful advance… just doesn't sit right with me."

The crowd grew quiet, watching the three of them. Their decision might've seemed unusual, but in a way, it showcased a heroic spirit that was admirable. Professional heroes who valued integrity and character would surely take notice of their actions.

Kaminari, observing from his spot, thought to himself, "These guys… they've definitely got the right kind of resolve."

Midnight glanced at them with a look of approval. "Alright! I respect your decisions." With a flick of her whip, she granted their requests to withdraw, then added with a hint of mischief, "This means we have three open spots. So we'll take the next three students with the highest total scores from the first two events to fill them."

As she spoke, the names appeared on the screen: Bone Crusher, Shiozaki, and Tsuburaba from Class B.

With the roster set, Midnight continued, "And now, let's reveal the match-ups for the first round!"

The large screen displayed the pairings, and the first match-up was set.

"First match: Ochaco Uraraka vs. Hitoshi Shinso!"

Midnight's announcement marked the start of the entertainment events. While those who didn't advance eagerly joined in, the finalists had the option to rest, strategize, or simply prepare for their matches.

Everyone had their own thoughts and goals, and before they knew it, it was time for the final round to begin.

"The rules are simple," Mic explained, his voice carrying across the stadium. "If you knock your opponent out of bounds, render them unable to fight, or make them give up, you win!"

"Don't worry about injuries; Recovery Girl is standing by as always. However," he added with a note of caution, "if your moves are deemed excessively dangerous, you'll be disqualified on the spot."

Kaminari raised an eyebrow at this. "Hmm… that means I'll have to think twice about using that move. It might be too risky for a school event."

As he mulled over his options, Uraraka stepped onto the concrete arena, her face showing traces of nervousness. Across from her, Shinso stood with his usual, calm expression.

With her father's encouragement fresh in her mind, Uraraka's determination hardened. "Dad, I'll show you… I'm going to become a pro hero and help you make a better life."

Her fear faded as her goal came into focus. Facing Shinso, her gaze turned resolute.

"Begin!"

Chapter 92: Recommended Civil War.

"It all comes down to keeping a clear head…"

Sitting in the special seating area for Class 1-A, Kaminari glanced at Hitoshi Shinso, who wore an indifferent expression down on the field. Turning around, he asked Ojiro, who was sitting just behind him.

"Did you tell Uraraka about his Quirk?"

"Yeah, I did…"

As soon as Ojiro responded, he noticed Kaminari's calm tone and asked curiously, "Wait, you knew about his Quirk too?"

"I ran into him a couple of times before, so I knew a little bit."

Kaminari nodded and looked back at the arena with a confident smile. "If she's aware of his abilities, Uraraka should win without much trouble… huh?!"

But before he finished speaking, his smile froze along with the figure of Ochaco Uraraka on the field.

"What?! She knew what to expect, so how did she still get caught?"

---

Half a Minute Earlier

"Do you think you'll lose?"

The crowd had fallen quiet, and Shinso broke the silence, his voice laced with subtle condescension.

"Hmm?"

Uraraka furrowed her brow slightly, feeling a bit confused by his question.

"The Hero Sports Festival is meant to test a person's inner strength," Shinso continued, starting his psychological game. Uraraka might not have realized it, but for him, the match began the moment he opened his mouth.

"No one who truly wants a future as a hero should care about something as trivial as dignity," Shinso added, his expression showing a hint of disdain. "That guy—Ojiro, was it? He was just being foolish, talking about dignity and giving up his chance. Doesn't that sound ridiculous to you?"

As expected, a flash of anger appeared on Uraraka's face. She was normally a kind, cheerful person, but Shinso's blatant insult towards her classmate sparked something in her.

"Don't you dare look down on Ojiro-san!!"

In her anger, she forgot everything Ojiro had warned her about earlier. She took a step toward Shinso, ready to defend her friend.

But as soon as she spoke, her body suddenly froze. She stood there with a blank look on her face, her movements stopping entirely. Across from her, Shinso's lips curled into a satisfied smirk.

"Got you…"

---

"What?! How did this happen?! I warned her specifically about this!" Ojiro was practically pulling his hair out in frustration.

Kyoka looked equally worried, biting her lip as she whispered, "Oh no, this doesn't look good."

Kaminari's smile had disappeared entirely, leaving him staring down at the field with a stoic expression. "Unbelievable."

He'd thought it was a sure win for Uraraka. If she already knew about Shinso's Quirk, she only needed to stay quiet, no matter what he said. Even if she ended up losing, he hadn't expected her to fall for something so simple.

"What's going on down there?"

In the announcer's box, Present Mic watched the field in surprise, his voice growing louder in irritation. "This is supposed to be the opening match! Get things moving!"

Meanwhile, on the field, Uraraka was now slowly turning around, walking toward the edge in a trance-like state. The entire audience watched, puzzled by her strange behavior.

"Uraraka's standing there, completely out of it, and she's walking back to where she started! Could this be Shinso's Quirk?" Present Mic speculated aloud, stirring up murmurs throughout the crowd.

"Mind control, huh… That's a pretty powerful ability." A pro hero in the audience, dressed in a suit resembling a dynamic superhero, muttered to himself with a look of awe.

"Yeah, that kid doesn't stand out much, but he's tougher than he looks," another hero, clad in red and green armor, agreed.

"The entrance exam really doesn't cater to everyone's strengths," Aizawa muttered from the teachers' area, turning his attention back to his notes with a furrowed brow.

"With a Quirk like his, Shinso never stood a chance at passing the combat-oriented entrance exam. Those robots are immune to mind control."

But as Aizawa considered Shinso's options, he felt a hint of understanding. "He probably anticipated that and applied to the general studies course as a backup. A smart choice."

In the Class 1-A seating area, most of the students—except for Kaminari, Bakugo, Todoroki, and Tokoyami were on their feet, shouting encouragement to Uraraka, desperately hoping she'd snap out of it. But it was no use.

"She's out," Kaminari muttered, watching as Uraraka crossed the boundary line. For a moment, he felt a pang of disappointment. He'd expected her to stay calm, but clearly, she'd let her emotions get the best of her.

"Eh?"

Just as Uraraka stepped out of bounds, she blinked, coming back to her senses. But it was already too late. Present Mic's voice filled the stadium as he declared the winner:

"The first person moving on to the second round is from Class C—Hitoshi Shinso!!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, and Present Mic continued to hype up the victory. "Talk about an underdog story! A general studies student, taking down a hero course student with ease!"

Meanwhile, down on the field, Uraraka's face was a mask of shock and realization. She remembered Ojiro's advice, advice she had completely ignored.

She sank to her knees, feeling utterly defeated. "I… I didn't even put up a fight…"

"Uraraka-san!!"

In the audience, Midoriya clenched his fists tightly, clearly heartbroken for her. Her words from before echoed in his mind, reminding him of her motivation.

---

"Uraraka-san!"

"Yes?"

"Why do you want to become a hero?"

"Oh… well, honestly, it's for the money."

"For the money?"

"Yeah, I know it sounds a bit shallow, but… my family's been struggling, and I want to become a pro hero so I can earn enough to support them. I want to give my parents a better life."

---

Tears glistened in Midoriya's eyes as he looked down at his friend, devastated on the arena floor.

"She… She just wanted to do well. She worked so hard, just to make a difference in her family's life…"

Hearing this, Kaminari's expression didn't change. He understood Midoriya's emotions, but he knew better than to let himself get caught up in sympathy. This world didn't guarantee success just because someone tried hard. Sometimes, good people still lost.

"This was her fault for letting her emotions cloud her judgment," Kaminari thought, though he kept the opinion to himself.

Uraraka, still crying, was escorted off the field, while Shinso walked back to his area to applause. Midoriya, Ashido, and a few other classmates rushed off to comfort her.

Kaminari had initially intended to go over as well, but Present Mic's next announcement stopped him in his tracks.

"The next match is between two of the recommended students—Shoto Todoroki and Juzo Honenuki!"

Kaminari decided to stay. He was genuinely curious to see if the recommended students, supposedly top-tier talents recognized by U.A., could match Todoroki's strength or Momo's tactical knowledge.

"Honenuki… let's see what you're made of."

Chapter 93: Kaminari’s Troubles.

"Tap, tap, tap..."

In the corridor connecting the players' lounge to the arena within U.A.'s gymnasium, Todoroki walked forward with a calm but steely expression. Unlike his classmates, he hadn't watched the previous match between Uraraka and Shinso with the others. Instead, he had spent the time alone in the lounge, quieting the turbulent emotions that had surfaced after witnessing Kaminari's performance.

Now, he was ready.

"Hmm?"

Just as he turned a corner, his expression turned icy upon noticing the man blocking his way. "Don't stand in my path," he said flatly.

It was Endeavor—his father, the current No. 2 hero in Japan, standing there with an imposing presence.

"You're wasting your potential, Shoto," Endeavor replied, his eyes just as cold. In fact, they mirrored Todoroki's own, though in a different way.

"In your last match, if you'd used the power of your left side after creating that iceberg, you would have easily overwhelmed Kaminari's 'Thunder Aegis.'"

Endeavor's voice was filled with scorn, as if he couldn't understand why his son would choose to limit himself. "There's a massive difference in potential between you and someone like him."

Todoroki kept walking, choosing not to respond. But as he moved past Endeavor, the older hero spoke sharply.

"You need to stop acting like a rebellious child. You have a duty to surpass All Might." Watching Todoroki's retreating figure, he continued, "You were born different from your siblings. You're my finest creation."

Those words hit a nerve. Todoroki halted just before stepping into the sunlight streaming in from the other side of the corridor. His fists clenched, and he spoke in a low, shaking voice, struggling to contain his anger.

"If that's all you have to say, then pay attention…" He took a breath. "I'll win this festival without using your power. I'll do it with my mother's strength alone."

Endeavor's expression didn't change, though he looked unimpressed. "Even if you manage to scrape by this time, you'll reach your limit soon enough, especially against someone like Kaminari. It's not as easy to freeze electricity."

Todoroki took a step forward into the bright sunlight, his face set in determination. "Then watch closely. I'll defeat Kaminari without ever touching your fire."

With that, he walked away, leaving Endeavor to shake his head slightly, murmuring to himself. "Stubborn fool. That boy Kaminari has a far better grasp of his Quirk than you do…"

The next second, any trace of Endeavor's thoughts vanished as cheers from the stadium echoed through the corridor.

---

The arena lit up as the flame throwers stationed at each corner flared, setting the stage for the next match.

"Thank you for waiting, EVERYONE!" Present Mic's voice boomed as he amped up the crowd, more enthusiastic than ever. The last match hadn't exactly been thrilling, but this one had all the signs of a crowd-pleaser.

"Our next match is between these two competitors!"

The screens around the stadium lit up with photos of Shoto Todoroki and Juzo Honenuki. The audience's excitement reignited as they recognized Todoroki from his previous dominating performances.

"Here we have two highly talented students who were admitted to U.A.'s hero course by recommendation! This should be an intense showdown!"

On the field, both Todoroki and Honenuki faced each other without a hint of emotion. Todoroki stood with his usual cold composure, while Honenuki's expression was unreadable, his body language calm and steady.

The audience seemed drawn in by their stoic attitudes, as if expecting something special from the "elite."

Meanwhile, in the Class 1-A stands, Kaminari glanced over at Bakugo, who was watching Todoroki intently.

"Aren't you going to check on Uraraka?" Kaminari asked with a hint of curiosity.

Bakugo gave him a side-eye, then turned back to the arena. "I don't care about some crying girl. Besides…"

He scowled. "Deku already went, didn't he?"

Kaminari chuckled. "You really trust Midoriya, huh?"

"Trust? What kind of idiot do you take me for?" Bakugo snarled, his voice filled with irritation. "Say something like that again, and I'll kill you."

Kaminari shrugged, unfazed. By now, he understood Bakugo a bit better, underneath all that bluster, he wasn't as harsh as he seemed. More than anything, he was just a guy with zero filter.

---

"Alright, let's get this next match started!" Present Mic announced, and immediately Honenuki made the first move, stepping forward as he activated his Quirk. The cement floor beneath his feet softened visibly, spreading toward Todoroki in a wave. His Quirk, "Softening," allowed him to turn solid ground into a squishy, malleable surface, though it had no effect on living beings.

Seeing the darkened, softened ground approaching him, Todoroki's eyes turned sharper. He didn't move from his spot, instead extending his right hand. A massive wall of ice erupted from the floor, surging forward like a tidal wave.

Honenuki observed calmly. "It's no use. Even if it's ice, I can still soften it."

And he was right, when the ice wall made contact with the softened ground, it began to break down, almost melting into a slushy mess. But Todoroki's ice kept coming, layers piling on top of each other faster than Honenuki's Quirk could break them down. Within seconds, an enormous iceberg, fifty or sixty meters tall, had formed in the center of the arena.

The weight and size of the ice formation caused the stadium to tremble slightly, like a small earthquake. Even the professional heroes in the audience looked on with wary admiration, impressed by Todoroki's control.

Yet despite the overwhelming display, Todoroki's face showed no signs of satisfaction. Frost coated the right side of his body from the strain, but his gaze remained locked onto Honenuki, who had been entirely buried beneath the ice.

"Sorry…" Todoroki muttered as he exhaled a cloud of cold air, his eyes distant. "There's just too much of a difference in our levels."

Up in the stands, Kaminari watched the entire scene unfold with an impassive expression.

"This guy really doesn't hold back, huh?" he muttered to himself, impressed by the sheer scale of Todoroki's power. "But if I end up facing him… how am I supposed to counter something like that?"

He knew the rules prohibited him from bringing in any equipment besides the standard hero course items. No steel balls, no coins without those, his Railgun, Lightning Chain, and even his defensive Thunder Aegis were all rendered ineffective.

As Todoroki stood in the arena, catching his breath, Kaminari found himself thinking hard about what he'd need to do if he wanted a real chance against his classmate.

Chapter 94: Kaminari vs Midoriya.

"Juzo Honenuki, can you still move?"

On the sidelines, Midnight who was partially frozen herself trembled from the chill as she asked a question she already knew the answer to.

"…I can't…"

Honenuki, feeling the numbing cold all over his body, barely managed to shake his frozen face as he whispered.

"Honenuki is incapacitated. Shoto Todoroki advances to the second round!"

Midnight cracked her whip, her voice echoing through the speakers.

But the crowd stayed silent, staring in awe at the enormous ice formation towering over the arena. The sheer scale of it left them speechless.

"Kaminari's mother stared wide-eyed, muttering to herself. "Was… was our son up against something like that just now?"

"Uh? Y-yeah!" Kaminari's father stammered, snapping out of his daze. He forced a smile, his voice a mix of pride and disbelief. "Our Kaminari… he's really something, isn't he?"

Down on the field, Todoroki approached the frozen Honenuki and placed his hand on the ice surrounding him.

"Sorry… I went overboard. I'm… not in the best of moods."

With that, he used his fire Quirk to thaw Honenuki's body. Then, he pressed his palm against the iceberg and began to melt it down, releasing a controlled wave of flames around him to vaporize the excess water.

As the towering ice structure melted, steam filled the arena, and within moments, the ground was completely dry. It was as if nothing had happened, leaving the audience even more in awe of Todoroki's precise control.

Kaminari chuckled as he rose from his seat, stretching slightly. "Guess it's my turn next," he said, walking down toward the arena under Bakugo's watchful gaze.

When he reached the corridor, he spotted Midoriya waiting with Uraraka and some of the other students who had come to support him. Uraraka seemed calmer now, though a hint of sadness lingered in her eyes.

"Kaminari-kun?" Midoriya asked, a bit confused as Kaminari paused to look at him.

Kaminari just grinned and patted Midoriya on the shoulder. "Nothing much. Let's put on a good show, alright?"

As he walked past, he left Midoriya with a final remark, his voice low but confident.

"I'm looking forward to this, Midoriya."

Kirishima let out a deep breath after Kaminari disappeared down the hall, then turned to Midoriya with a serious expression.

"Midoriya, you've gotta give it everything you've got. Kaminari's no weaker than Todoroki!"

"I know…" Midoriya nodded, clenching his fists tightly. Determination filled his eyes as he added, "I have my reasons for not holding back. No matter how strong he is, I'll do everything I can to win!"

He thought of All Might's words to him, about proving himself and letting his actions speak for his strength. He wouldn't disappoint his mentor.

"Yeah, you got this, Midoriya-kun!" Uraraka said, trying to lift his spirits with an encouraging smile, despite her own recent defeat.

Kaminari's friends, Tetsutetsu, Kyoka, and Momo, exchanged glances but remained quiet, their expressions carrying a hint of worry. They had all seen Kaminari's strength firsthand. It was a steep challenge, even for someone as determined as Midoriya.

---

As Kaminari and Midoriya arrived in the arena, the faculty prepared themselves. Given the intensity of the previous matches, U.A. had assigned an additional teacher to supervise this round: Vlad King, the homeroom teacher of Class 1-B.

Even All Might, sitting at the faculty table, was visibly tense. He was ready to intervene if Kaminari or Midoriya went overboard. He understood both boys' determination, but also the dangers of their respective powers. If either of them lost control, he'd step in immediately.

---

The crowd roared as the four flame towers at each corner of the arena ignited. Present Mic's voice boomed through the speakers, introducing the next competitors.

"From Class 1-A's Hero Course, it's Kaminari Denki, whose electrifying strength we've all seen before! And facing him is none other than Midoriya Izuku, who has shown impressive resilience and strength in previous events!"

The crowd cheered even louder. Kaminari's growing popularity was clear, with fans shouting his name, urging him to deliver another thrilling performance.

"Go, Kaminari!!"

"Knock him out like Todoroki did!"

"Kaminari! Hit him with a hundred thousand volts!"

---

As they faced each other in the arena, Kaminari eyed Midoriya thoughtfully, noticing the faint arcs of green electricity dancing around him.

"So, what exactly is your Quirk?" Kaminari asked, curious. "That looks… a lot like my high-speed movement."

Midoriya hesitated, looking down at the energy flickering around his hands. "Uh… well, it's complicated. I guess you could say it's a sort of… burst of strength?" he stammered, clearly unsure how to explain it.

In truth, Midoriya didn't fully understand it himself. Unlike his canon counterpart, he hadn't meticulously studied how to use ONE-FOR-ALL. His current state was something he'd stumbled into, without any clear method.

"Hmm, all right then. Let's see what you've got, Midoriya!"

Kaminari shrugged, brushing off the lack of a clear answer. His own body crackled to life with golden electricity, signaling that he was ready to go all out.

"Then let's find out how your version of 'high-speed movement' stacks up against mine!"

---

To the crowd's amazement, the two fighters looked almost identical in that moment, both wrapped in crackling energy, each facing down the other with fierce determination.

Without warning, Kaminari moved first, surging forward like a bolt of lightning. The sheer speed of his approach made Midoriya's eyes widen in shock.

"What's wrong? Did you forget already?" Kaminari said, his voice calm yet intense. "Weren't you going to do your best to beat me?"

The words spurred Midoriya to action. With a deep breath, he steadied himself, focusing all his willpower as Kaminari's electrified fist swung towards him.

Chapter 95: The Outcome is Decided.

Whoosh!

Facing Kaminari's high-speed Electrified Fist, Midoriya didn't dare to block it head-on. Instead, he planted his right foot on the ground and quickly slid back a couple of meters, narrowly avoiding the attack.

Boom!

As Kaminari relentlessly closed the distance, Midoriya punched forward into the air. The force of his punch distorted the air, creating a powerful gust that barreled toward Kaminari.

Sizzle

But Kaminari's expression didn't waver. Casually, he sidestepped to the right, evading the gust with ease. A few strands of his blond hair fluttered up from the wind, but he was otherwise unfazed.

Having watched Midoriya in action many times before, Kaminari knew better than to rush in without a plan. Yet something about Midoriya's current attack felt… off.

It was weak. Surprisingly so.

Compared to the raw, intense power Midoriya usually displayed, this punch felt almost restrained, as if he was holding back.

Sizzle

Kaminari resumed his pursuit, while Midoriya seemed intent on keeping his distance, constantly evading close combat.

For three whole minutes, Kaminari chased Midoriya around the arena, occasionally striking out, only for Midoriya to narrowly evade or deflect his blows with controlled punches, each releasing a gust of wind in Kaminari's direction.

Crackle

"Unlike me, Kaminari's energy is real electricity," Midoriya thought, cautiously watching Kaminari while keeping a safe distance. "Touching him directly would be a huge mistake. All I need to do is wear him down. Eventually, his electricity will run out."

As Midoriya continued his evasive maneuvers, he planned his next move. "Or… I could find a chance to use a full-power punch and knock him out of bounds."

To the spectators, the scene was a spectacle. Two figures, one cloaked in golden lightning, the other in green energy, chased each other across the massive concrete arena, moving at speeds that few could even follow. From time to time, flashes of lightning and bursts of air pressure filled the space, creating an intense, mesmerizing show.

Even Present Mic, known for his constant commentary, found himself momentarily silent, caught up in the action alongside the rapt audience.

Meanwhile, Kaminari began to understand the nature of Midoriya's ability. The energy Midoriya was using was different from his own electrically charged movement. Kaminari's speed came from his control over electric currents stimulating his muscles, but Midoriya's speed… was purely physical.

"He's using raw power to create speed," Kaminari thought, observing Midoriya carefully as they both halted for a brief moment. "It's not that his Quirk has changed. He's still using that same explosive strength, but he's figured out how to spread that power throughout his entire body, not just his fists."

Kaminari evaluated their strengths and weaknesses. "In terms of pure speed, we're about evenly matched. But his punches pack a lot more force. Still, I have the edge in one way, my attacks carry an electric shock."

For a moment, the arena was still, as both fighters stared each other down.

"What's going on? Why'd they stop?" Present Mic's voice echoed, breaking the tense silence.

Ignoring the commentator, Kaminari flashed a confident smile at Midoriya, one that the cameras caught perfectly.

"Is this all you've got?" Kaminari asked, a hint of challenge in his tone.

Midoriya's eyes widened, a hint of confusion breaking through his concentration.

"Here's a heads-up," Kaminari continued, his smile fading into a serious expression. "You'd better bring out that 'smash' of yours, because I'm done holding back. When I go all out, it gets… intense."

Suddenly, the electricity surrounding Kaminari's body surged, crackling louder as his hair lifted, charged by the energy radiating from him.

Boom!

"High-voltage mode… activated!" Kaminari announced, his voice tinged with determination.

With a surge of power, Kaminari was enveloped in a blazing aura of golden electricity, arcs of lightning dancing dangerously around him. Then, in the blink of an eye, he vanished, leaving only a charred spot where he had been standing.

In an instant, Kaminari reappeared as a golden streak, rocketing towards Midoriya like a bolt of lightning. His speed was so extreme that even the arena cameras struggled to keep up.

"He's… so fast!" Midoriya thought, instantly recognizing that Kaminari was far quicker than he could react to.

SMASHHHH!

Desperate, Midoriya unleashed a full-powered punch, even though he knew it would likely injure him. He swung at the empty space in front of him, detonating his Quirk to create a shockwave that distorted the air in front of him.

"Now's my chance!" Kaminari thought, eyes lighting up as he closed in on the explosive shockwave.

In the stands, All Might was already halfway out of his seat, his eyes wide with concern. He knew that one miscalculated punch from Midoriya could do serious damage, perhaps even put Kaminari in the hospital.

On the teacher's platform, Aizawa squinted, considering whether he should activate his Erasure Quirk to prevent an accident. But before he could decide, Kaminari had already reached Midoriya.

Nearby, Bakugo and Todoroki watched the scene intently, their expressions serious.

BOOM!

Midoriya's punch created a massive shockwave, sending turbulent waves of air rushing toward the audience. The force was intense enough to cause spectators in the stands to shield their faces from the blast.

But before anyone could panic, thick concrete walls rose up from the ground, shielding the audience from the wind.

"Phew… just in time," Cementoss muttered, his hands pressed firmly against the ground as he controlled the walls.

However, the power of Midoriya's blast was even greater than he anticipated. The first three walls cracked and crumbled in seconds, and it wasn't until the fifth wall that the shockwave was finally contained.

Many in the audience sat back, breathing sighs of relief. For a moment, they'd felt the full brunt of Midoriya's raw strength, and it was terrifying.

As the dust settled, all eyes returned to the arena, eager to see the outcome of the clash.

When the dust cleared, the sight left everyone stunned, Midoriya stood frozen, his arm extended from his powerful punch… but just inches away, Kaminari's fist hovered, stopping short of a strike that could have hit Midoriya.

Midoriya's arm trembled, his face a mix of shock and awe as he stared at Kaminari.

"How…" he murmured.

Kaminari's voice, calm and steady, echoed across the arena.

"You lost, Midoriya."

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 96: Thinking

"You lose, Midoriya..."

On the ultra-clear big screen, Kaminari stood tall behind Midoriya, who was still frozen in place. Kaminari's hand was resting gently on the back of Midoriya's neck, a move that suggested he could release a shock at any moment.

"How… how is this possible?"

Midoriya felt the warmth of Kaminari's hand on his neck, his entire body stiff as he tried to process what had happened. He couldn't understand it. He hadn't even seen when Kaminari managed to get behind him!

The audience, along with the commentator Present Mic, was equally stunned. Mic, ever the curious host, immediately asked the technical team to play a slow-motion replay of the last few seconds on the big screen above the stadium.

On the screen, everyone watched as Kaminari, covered in golden lightning, suddenly ducked low and slid under Midoriya's arm at the very moment Midoriya launched his "100% Smash." Kaminari's movement was quick, almost graceful, like a fluid shadow slipping past unnoticed.

"Whoa!!!"

The crowd erupted in astonished cheers and gasps. The precision of Kaminari's maneuver left many viewers in awe.

"How was he able to move so smoothly in such a short time, especially with that kind of speed?" Present Mic exclaimed, his voice brimming with disbelief.

"And his timing…" Mic trailed off, seemingly lost for words.

"Good timing?" Aizawa, Class 1-A's homeroom teacher, muttered in disagreement. His voice was soft, but the crowd nearby caught it and quieted to hear his explanation. "No, it wasn't just good timing."

"Huh?" Mic looked at him, puzzled. "What do you mean?"

"Timing wasn't the key here," Aizawa continued. "Kaminari didn't just react in the moment. He knew what Midoriya was going to do before it happened. He anticipated it."

The audience murmured in confusion. "How could he have known?" some of them asked. The idea seemed impossible, even absurd.

Aizawa's expression didn't change as he elaborated. "Remember what Kaminari said to Midoriya before the match? He told him to be prepared and encouraged him to go all out. Kaminari baited him, knowing Midoriya would interpret his words as a challenge. With Kaminari showing such overwhelming speed, Midoriya thought he had no choice but to use his full strength."

The crowd fell silent, processing Aizawa's analysis. Even some pro heroes in the stands exchanged thoughtful looks.

"This wasn't just a display of physical skill," Aizawa concluded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he studied Kaminari on the field. "It was a calculated plan. Every move Kaminari made was designed to lead Midoriya exactly where he wanted."

All Might, watching from the stands, clenched his fists. He realized now that Midoriya's loss wasn't a matter of strength alone. Kaminari's experience and tactical thinking were on a different level.

"This is more than just a difference in power…" All Might muttered to himself, feeling a pang of regret for his student's defeat.

Back on the field, Midoriya looked up at Kaminari, his face showing a mixture of frustration and admiration. Releasing his Quirk, he let the green sparks dissipate, finally understanding where he had gone wrong.

"Is it true?" Midoriya asked softly, as though he needed confirmation.

Kaminari let go of Midoriya's neck, smiling slightly. "Yeah. It's not just about raw power," he said gently. "You've got a great Quirk, Midoriya, but you need to recognize its tells. Every time you use that full-strength punch, there's this noticeable red glow. It's like a signal, telling your opponent exactly what's coming."

Midoriya's shoulders slumped, and he looked down at his bruised right arm, wincing at the pain. "I… I see," he murmured, accepting his mistake.

The cheers from the audience rose again, and Kaminari looked around, giving Midoriya a friendly pat on the shoulder.

"I lost…" Midoriya said, finally turning to Midnight, the referee. He lifted his head, though his eyes betrayed his disappointment.

"It's okay," Kaminari said with a smile, trying to cheer him up. "You fought well."

Midoriya offered him a grateful, if slightly sad, smile. "Thank you… Kaminari."

From the stands, All Might watched, a sense of pride mixed with regret in his eyes. He had wanted Midoriya to succeed, but seeing his student learn from this loss was equally valuable.

Meanwhile, elsewhere, in a dimly lit hideout, a figure watched the match on a small screen, his voice a sinister murmur.

"Hmm… that Kaminari kid. He's sharp, stronger than I expected," Shigaraki said, observing Kaminari's every move with a cold intensity. "We'll have to keep an eye on him…"

Back in the medical bay, Kaminari watched as the recovery girl began tending to Midoriya's injured arm, a worried look on his face.

"Midoriya… that Quirk of yours. It's powerful, but it seems to hurt you every time you use it at full strength," Kaminari said carefully, trying not to pry too much.

Midoriya, lying on the bed, gave a sheepish smile. "Yeah… it's a bit hard to control. I'm still working on it."

But before Kaminari could ask more questions, Recovery Girl shooed him out of the room. "Go on, now! He needs rest," she said, pushing him gently towards the door.

As Kaminari walked out, he glanced back thoughtfully, his mind still on Midoriya.

"I don't know… there's something different about his Quirk," Kaminari thought, trying to put the pieces together. "Could it be…?"

But he shook his head, dismissing the thought for now. He had another match to prepare for.

Meanwhile, the tournament continued. The fourth match saw Iida against Hatsume Mei from the Support Course. Hatsume managed to dazzle the audience with her endless gadgets, turning the match into a product showcase, while Iida, though flustered, eventually secured a win. He left the arena looking both proud and deeply embarrassed.

In the fifth match, Ashido Mina faced off against Aoyama Yuga. With her agility and quick reflexes, Ashido managed to overcome Aoyama's laser attacks, securing her spot in the next round.

The crowd cheered on, energy high as the matches continued. Then, Kaminari's focus turned to the next battle on the field—one that promised to be intense.

Class 1-A's Tokoyami Fumikage versus Class 1-B Student.

Tokoyami, known for his dark and enigmatic Quirk "Dark Shadow," had shown impressive skill in previous simulations. His Quirk was versatile and powerful, but Kaminari and the others knew little about its true limits.

As Kaminari made his way back to the stands, he spotted Shinso leaning against a shadowed corner, his eyes reflecting a quiet determination.

Chapter 97: Efforts and Goals

Seeing the person waiting in the shadows, Kaminari set aside his curiosity about Midoriya for the moment. Putting on a friendly smile, he walked over and greeted him.

"Shinso-kun?"

"Kaminari Denki..."

Shinso, leaning against a dark corner, slowly lifted his head to meet Kaminari's gaze. His piercing, triangular eyes studied Kaminari, and after a moment, he asked in a low voice.

"What's with the electricity around your body?"

From Shinso's perspective, Kaminari's body was wrapped in erratic golden currents.

"Oh, this?"

Kaminari glanced down at himself, then looked back up, replying casually, "Just a little insurance, Shinso-kun."

"After all, talking with you is… a bit riskier than with most people."

"Is that so?"

Shinso raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So, these electric currents are supposed to keep you safe from me?"

Kaminari shrugged. "Maybe. I haven't actually tested it yet."

"Then test it."

Without hesitation, Shinso activated his Quirk. Kaminari's mind went blank for an instant, but almost immediately, he felt his consciousness snap back.

Shinso's eyes widened, confused.

"Looks like I was out for less than a second…" Kaminari noted, glancing at the distant clock on the big screen.

Turning back to Shinso, he grinned. "Seems my insurance plan works!"

This was a defensive trick he'd developed after his first encounter with Shinso's Quirk. Finally having the chance to test it out with Shinso himself, he couldn't help feeling a bit pleased.

The idea was simple: since breaking free from mind control typically required a physical jolt, he wondered if the electric currents flowing inside and outside his body could provide that jolt automatically.

Basically, by continuously stimulating his body with electricity, he could potentially snap himself out of any mental control.

Whether it was "high-speed movement" or "high-voltage mode," both techniques had this passive effect of disrupting other Quirks.

"Heh."

Shinso let out a dry laugh. "Just as I thought… once people know about my Quirk, it becomes much harder to use effectively."

Though he'd managed to control Uraraka Ochaco in the previous round, he hadn't counted on it as a reliable strategy. That success had felt more like a fluke.

"True," Kaminari agreed, then asked, "So why'd you join the sports festival?"

He couldn't help but voice his curiosity. "If I had a Quirk like yours, I'd probably keep it hidden. If I used it, it'd only be as a trump card, something to pull out in a critical moment. Competing in a public event like this, where everyone gets to see your abilities… doesn't seem like the best strategy."

Shinso's face darkened, his arms falling from their crossed position as he clenched his fists tightly.

"You think everyone's like you, blessed with some flashy Quirk?" he said, his voice edged with bitterness.

"Huh?" Kaminari tilted his head, caught off guard.

"You want to know why I'm here? It's because this festival is my one chance. If I perform well enough, I might get transferred into the Hero Course!"

Shinso's voice grew tense, his frustration spilling over. "Because of my Quirk, I've always been left behind, forced to watch from the starting line while others move ahead."

"If I don't make an impact here, if I don't stand out now… my goal of becoming a Hero will stay out of reach forever."

He looked down, his voice dropping to a murmur filled with resentment. "But someone like you, a 'genius' with a powerful Quirk, wouldn't understand what that feels like."

Kaminari didn't argue. He didn't feel the need to talk about the years he'd spent honing his own abilities, it wouldn't mean anything to Shinso, and would probably just come off as boasting.

Instead, he asked, "Can I ask when you realized that your Quirk would make getting into the Hero Course difficult?"

Shinso hesitated, then replied, "Back in my first year of junior high. I looked up the details of the entrance exam for UA and saw the emphasis on practical skills."

"And what did you do in the years after that?"

Kaminari's gaze drifted to the field below, where Tokoyami and a student from Class B were already engaged in battle. But his question was clearly directed at Shinso.

"What did I do?" Shinso repeated, sounding annoyed. "What could I do? My Quirk doesn't work on robots."

"So…" Kaminari turned to look at him directly, his voice calm. "After realizing your Quirk's limitations, you didn't think about how to compensate for them?"

"These last three years, you were preparing two backup plans: aiming for both the Hero Course and the General Studies Course, and hoping that one day at a sports festival, you'd get the chance to 'take a shortcut.'"

"Yeah. Was there another option?" Shinso's expression was defiant, but his voice softened, as though he was questioning himself.

"Actually, yes."

Kaminari glanced back down at the field. "If I were you, I wouldn't have wasted those three years. I would've trained in swordsmanship, archery, or any other skills to help make up for my Quirk's limitations."

"Even if you had to practice on your own, there are plenty of Hero training centers and professionals out there. You could have found someone to teach you."

Kaminari looked away from the fight. This match was one-sided, with Tokoyami dominating as expected.

"If your Quirk doesn't work well in the practical exam, then rely on other skills to earn enough points. Use whatever tools you have, whether that's a bow, a sword, or anything else."

"Of course, you can still treat this sports festival as your backup plan, but only after you've given your best effort in every other area."

He turned back to Shinso, whose face was now shadowed, his expression unreadable.

"So from my perspective… you're someone who talks about dreams and goals, but doesn't understand what 'effort' actually means."

"There's no 'goal' without 'effort.' An entrance exam didn't go your way, so you chose to 'take a shortcut.' What will you do when you face bigger obstacles in the future? Just keep looking for shortcuts?"

Shinso lowered his head, absorbing Kaminari's words in silence.

Just then, the crowd erupted in cheers as Tokoyami forced his opponent out of the ring. The cheers grew louder, echoing through the arena.

When the noise finally died down, Shinso spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper.

"In the second round, I'll be facing Shoto Todoroki… I know I'll lose."

Kaminari nodded. "Yeah, Todoroki won't fall for your Quirk like Uraraka did. He's too aware of his surroundings."

Turning to leave, Kaminari felt a twinge of disappointment in Shinso. He'd expected more from someone who seemed so determined. But as he began to walk away, Shinso's voice stopped him.

"One last thing… is it too late for me to 'work hard' now?"

Kaminari paused, then answered softly without looking back.

"I don't know. But I'd suggest you talk to Mr. Aizawa. He's got a similar kind of Quirk."

Chapter 98: Beyond Limit Explosion

"Yo, Kaminari!!"

As Kaminari made his way back to the seating area, Tetsutetsu, who had been scanning the crowd for him, immediately waved him over with a grin and pointed to the seat he'd saved.

"Hey, I saved you a front-row seat!"

"Nice. I'm looking forward to the next match… it's Bakugo's turn," Kaminari replied, nodding at Kyoka, Momo, and the others as he took his seat beside Tetsutetsu. He looked around, wondering to himself, "Has Bakugo already gone down to the field?"

"Yep," Kirishima answered from the row behind him, his curiosity piqued. "By the way, does anyone here know what kind of Quirk that Shiozaki girl from Class B has?"

Ashido, Asui, and the others exchanged blank glances and then collectively shook their heads. Just then, Monoma from Class B popped his head out from behind the nearby wall, smirking.

"Honestly, you Class A guys are so arrogant. You don't even know your opponent's Quirk, huh? Just because you've fought some villains, you think you're untouchable."

"Uh…"

The Class B rep, Kendou Itsuka, quickly appeared and, clearly exasperated, dragged Monoma back with an apologetic smile.

"Sorry about that, everyone." Then she glanced toward the field, where Shiozaki was emerging from the dark tunnel. "But… just so you know, she's really strong. Don't underestimate her."

"Maybe," Kaminari murmured, his gaze shifting to Bakugo's intense expression on the other side of the stadium. "But the real fireworks are probably coming up."

The match began with cheers from the crowd and the energetic commentary of Present Mic. Bakugo strode onto the concrete arena, glancing up at the stands. For a moment, his gaze lingered on Kaminari and Todoroki. Their recent performances flashed through his mind—a swift, overwhelming victory from Kaminari, and Todoroki's near-effortless power.

He clenched his fists, seething with frustration. He was determined to make his mark here, to win in a way that would leave no doubt about who was the strongest.

"I'm not losing to them. I'm the strongest in Class A!"

Present Mic's voice echoed across the stadium once more, and the crowd's excitement swelled at Bakugo's presence. They hadn't forgotten his explosive prowess during the cavalry battle.

"Man, I hope he does that move again!"

"Yeah, that massive blast was epic!"

"Not likely. He's up against a girl this time, no way he'd go all-out like that."

"True, he acts hot-headed, but he's still here to be a Hero, right?"

"Yeah, that 'Howitzer' move… only someone like Kaminari Denki or Shoto Todoroki could handle that kind of power."

"No, Midoriya's pretty strong too! Did you see the punch he threw in the first round?"

The chatter quieted as Present Mic announced the start of the match, and all eyes turned back to the field.

If you want to make a statement… then go all out…

Bakugo's gaze hardened as he stared down Shiozaki, whose calm demeanor radiated an almost saintly aura. His expression twisted into a fierce snarl.

"Go full throttle and crush the opponent!"

BOOM!

Without a second's hesitation, Bakugo leaped into the air, using his explosions to propel himself upward. Then, with a series of rapid blasts to his left and right, he spun himself into a high-speed rotation, closing in on Shiozaki like a spiraling inferno.

To the crowd, it seemed as if Bakugo had disappeared, replaced by a horizontal whirlwind of flames and smoke.

"Explosive Tornado…?" Kaminari muttered, wide-eyed as he watched the spectacle. Is it really possible to push a Quirk like this?

Using the explosive recoil to stabilize himself mid-spin while generating a high-temperature whirlwind, it was a remarkable display of precision and power.

"Is he really calculating all of this, or… is it just pure instinct?" Kaminari wondered, impressed.

His own fighting style relied on precise, micro-level control of his electricity, while Todoroki could unleash overwhelming power thanks to his Quirk's natural affinity. But Bakugo… he was a mix of both. His aggressive nature and innate combat instincts allowed him to wield his explosions with devastating effect.

Bakugo's move left the students of Class B visibly uneasy. His technique radiated danger, and it was clear he wouldn't hold back.

"Come on, Shiozaki! Block him!"

"Stop that maniac with your vines!"

On the field, Shiozaki turned to face Bakugo's incoming attack. She spread her arms, her green hair rooting into the ground and sprouting into a forest of thorned vines that surged forward to intercept him.

The scene resembled Todoroki's earlier "Ice Barrage," though on a smaller scale. But even so, Shiozaki's vines quickly filled the entire concrete arena.

Yet, to her shock, her wall of vines couldn't withstand Bakugo's spinning assault. Every time her vines approached him, they were blasted apart by the shockwaves from his explosions or scorched by the searing heat.

"A natural counter…"

From the commentary booth, Aizawa-sensei narrowed his eyes, analyzing the scene.

"Bakugo's Quirk generates intense heat and pressure, making it a natural threat to plant-based Quirks. Combined with his greater physical power, Shiozaki doesn't stand much chance in a head-on clash."

"Thunder Idiot… Half-and-Half…" Bakugo seethed in his mind, the faces of Kaminari and Todoroki flashing before him. "Watch closely… this is me, going beyond my limits!"

I will never be weaker than you!

"No way in hell!!!"

With a final, defiant shout, Bakugo unleashed the full force of his right hand in a blinding burst, charging it to the max as he smashed into Shiozaki's vine barrier.

"Howitzer… SUPER BLAST!!"

BOOM!!!!!

The explosion was so intense that the concrete floor vanished beneath a cloud of black smoke and debris. A scorching wave of hot air swept through the arena, leaving the entire audience stunned.

People struggled to breathe, the sheer pressure from the blast leaving them momentarily gasping for air. Hats, loose items, and anything not held down were blown skyward in the aftermath.

It took nearly ten seconds for the explosion's shockwave to subside. When the smoke finally cleared, Bakugo stood alone in the center of a massive crater, his right arm hanging limply from the strain.

The concrete around him was completely scorched, revealing the raw earth beneath. The once-flat arena was now a scene of utter devastation.

"Wha… Where's Shiozaki?"

"No way! That was way too much!"

"Yeah, to go that hard against a girl… does he really want to be a Hero?"

"Is he trying to kill Shiozaki?" Monoma shouted furiously from the Class B section. For the first time, his dislike of Bakugo was genuine and intense.

In the audience, some began muttering complaints, while online chatrooms flooded with angry comments. But this time, Aizawa-sensei didn't step in to calm things down. Even he had to admit that Bakugo might have gone too far.

Though it was respectable to treat one's opponent seriously, Bakugo's attack had clearly exceeded the bounds of a simple competition.

This was an explosion beyond his usual limits, one that could have been lethal if Shiozaki had been caught in it.

However, Bakugo seemed unfazed by the criticism. His focus remained solely on Kaminari and Todoroki, who watched him from the stands.

I will be the one to surpass All Might and become the strongest Hero!

Meanwhile, Aizawa-sensei spotted Shiozaki safely standing at the edge of the arena, with Class B's homeroom teacher beside her.

"Thankfully… we took precautions."

At the last second, the Class B teacher, Vlad King, had used his Quirk, manipulating his own blood to form a rope and pull Shiozaki to safety. He had even created a blood-red shield to absorb any remaining impact from Bakugo's blast.

Aizawa sighed, realizing the intensity of the matches had escalated beyond anyone's expectations.

"I'll need to supervise Kaminari and Todoroki's next fight myself… or better yet… maybe All Might should keep an eye on them too."

With that thought, Aizawa rose from his seat and quietly headed for the door. Present Mic noticed and called after him, surprised.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"To find the principal."

Chapter 99: The Battle of Convictions

"Tetsutetsu, Kirishima, after seeing Bakugo's move just now, do you think your Quirks could handle it?" Kaminari asked quietly, watching Bakugo as he stubbornly declined assistance from the transport robot, supporting his exhausted body and slowly making his way into the corridor.

Both Tetsutetsu and Kirishima fell silent.

While their Quirks provided them with strong defensive capabilities, it didn't mean they were invincible. If they exceeded their Quirks' limits, they could still be injured… or worse.

"You don't think you could take it, right?" Kaminari continued, addressing the unspoken realization of the Class 1-A students around him. "Then maybe it's time to think about how you'd deal with attacks of that magnitude."

Tetsutetsu and Kirishima exchanged glances. After a moment, Kirishima flashed a determined grin, instinctively reaching up to touch his dyed red hair.

"For me, there's only one path forward," Kirishima declared confidently. "And that's to keep pushing my 'hardening' to new heights. I'm committed to this route!"

"Just like my idol, the 'Hardened Hero' Crimson Riot!"

"If I'm not tough enough, then I'll make myself tougher—tough enough to withstand anything that comes my way!"

He turned to look at Tetsutetsu, who usually shared his goals and ideals. "That's the same for you, right?"

Tetsutetsu remained silent. If he'd been asked this question earlier, his answer would have been identical to Kirishima's.

But after spending time with Kaminari and being mentored by Daimon-sensei, his perspective had started to shift. He was no longer focused solely on pure "strength" and "defense."

Now, he was thinking more about "technique" and "versatility."

"Hey, Tetsutetsu!" Kirishima raised his voice, surprised by his friend's hesitation. "Didn't you tell me once that you wanted to compete with me for the title of the strongest 'hardcore' Hero in the future?"

At first, Tetsutetsu's challenge had bothered Kirishima. But over time, he'd come to appreciate having a rival, someone else with the same goals and convictions.

Yet now, Tetsutetsu was hesitating.

What did that mean? Had he given up on the path of being "hardcore"?

If that was the case, then Kirishima couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"I'm telling you, Tetsutetsu… to be the strongest 'hardcore' Hero, you have to have the toughest defenses. That's the only way."

Tetsutetsu's gaze grew resolute as he stood up, meeting Kirishima's intense stare. "Being the strongest 'hardcore' Hero doesn't mean having the hardest Quirk. It's about overall strength."

Kirishima's face twisted in frustration, veins bulging on his neck. He grabbed Tetsutetsu by the collar, his grip reinforced by his Quirk.

"What's the point of being a 'hardcore Hero' without being the hardest there is?"

"Remember this," Kirishima said, voice thick with conviction. "No matter what your Quirk is, if you're taking the hardcore path, there's only one way forward: make yourself harder and harder!"

"That's the way Crimson Riot proved it!"

Bang! Crack!

With his body steeled by his Quirk, Tetsutetsu gripped Kirishima's hand firmly, prying it off his collar as he held his ground.

"I'm going to walk my own path, Kirishima—not Crimson Riot's!"

With that, he released Kirishima and turned, striding towards the exit. Their next match was about to begin.

"Come on. I'll show you what my path looks like!"

Clang!

Kirishima, usually easygoing, was clearly unwilling to back down when it came to this kind of principle. To him, the path of being "hardcore" was something sacred, not something you could just redefine on a whim.

He clenched his fists so tightly that the sound of metal clashing reverberated, and he followed Tetsutetsu toward the arena, his furious expression drawing worried glances from their classmates.

"Kirishima…" Ashido called after him, but he cut her off sharply.

"There's only one 'hardcore path'!"

"He can go his own way if he wants, but he doesn't get to call it 'hardcore.' The term 'hardcore' can only be used to describe the path Crimson Riot paved!"

With that, he strode toward his designated entry corridor, his focus intense.

"Kaminari, do you think they'll be alright?" Kyoka asked, her voice laced with concern.

"Yeah, they looked like they were really going at it…" Momo added, worry clear on her face.

Kaminari gave a reassuring nod. "Don't worry, there will be three teachers watching over them during the match."

Then he looked toward the field, his own excitement building.

This… this is what you'd call a true battle of convictions.

Between the two of them, Kaminari found himself more in agreement with Tetsutetsu. Taking a more versatile approach seemed more realistic to him than focusing everything on just durability.

But what exactly is Tetsutetsu's 'method'? he wondered, intrigued.

By now, the cement stadium, recently destroyed by Bakugo's battle, had been restored to pristine condition by the school's Cementoss-sensei. At the same time, Present Mic's booming voice filled the air once more.

"The eighth match of the first round—a showdown between two Quirks of raw, unstoppable power!"

On the big screen, both competitors' images appeared side-by-side, striking similar poses, which made the crowd chuckle.

"Representing the unbreakable spirit of steel! It's Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu!"

"And facing him, embodying the will of unyielding rock! It's Kirishima Eijiro!"

But despite Present Mic's enthusiastic introductions, neither Tetsutetsu nor Kirishima responded. The tension between them was palpable, like a storm waiting to break.

Kirishima's gaze was full of defiance, while Tetsutetsu's eyes remained calm and determined.

"Begin!"

BOOM!

"You need to show some respect for the 'hardcore path' and Crimson Riot!" Kirishima shouted, his arms hardened, as he charged forward, fury fueling his movements.

Bam!

With his entire body transformed into steel, Tetsutetsu charged forward without hesitation, meeting Kirishima's attack head-on.

"Of course I respect him! But my choice is still the right one!"

Under the watchful eyes of 120,000 spectators, these two determined young men, each driven by their own beliefs, roared and clashed in the center of the ring!

BOOM!

Their fists, one hardened to stone and the other gleaming like polished metal, collided with a force that sparked and crackled in the air.

"Their strength is perfectly matched!" Present Mic exclaimed into his microphone, his excitement radiating through the stadium. The crowd erupted into cheers, thrilled by the sheer intensity of the match.

As soon as their fists separated, Kirishima, still fuming, swung again, driving his hardened fist forward.

"What's this 'method' you keep talking about? Isn't this the real 'hardcore path'?"

"Then I'll show you what I mean by my path!" Tetsutetsu shot back, his stance shifting as he readied himself.

He took up a judo stance, watching as Kirishima charged in recklessly. Just as Kirishima closed the distance to less than two meters, Tetsutetsu made his move.

Sliding his right foot into position inside Kirishima's right leg, Tetsutetsu turned his body, ducking under Kirishima's punch. Using his right hand, he grabbed Kirishima under his left arm and leaned into him, using Kirishima's momentum against him.

Then, with a twist of his hips, Tetsutetsu hurled Kirishima high into the air, slamming him down onto the concrete floor.

CRASH!

As Kirishima's hardened back struck the ground, the arena floor shattered beneath him, splintering like it was made of brittle tiles.

Tetsutetsu exhaled a steadying breath, looking down at the stunned Kirishima.

"To be the strongest, you need more than just toughness. You need to combine 'technique,' 'strength,' and 'durability' into one."

"I might not have the hardest Quirk, but I'll be the strongest in history!"

"Kirishima, remember this—I'm following the path of the 'unbreakable,' not just the 'hardest'!"

Chapter 100: Imagination?

BOOM!

CRASH!

THUD!

The stadium was dead silent as 120,000 spectators watched, wide-eyed, at what now looked more like a demolition site than a sports arena. Every time a resounding crash echoed through the stadium, everyone felt it reverberate in their chests.

"So brutal… Kirishima..."

Mineta covered his eyes, his voice shaking as he peeked between his fingers, barely able to watch.

"Yeah…" Ashido nodded solemnly, then turned to Kaminari with a frown. "When did Tetsutetsu learn judo?"

"A few months back," Kaminari replied quietly, his gaze fixed on Kirishima, who was struggling to his feet for the umpteenth time after being thrown to the ground. He spoke softly, almost to himself.

As he looked around at his classmates, Kaminari realized that nearly everyone in Class 1-A had something they were fiercely dedicated to, something they were willing to fight for, no matter what.

Midoriya, Todoroki, Bakugo, Iida, Ojiro, Koda, Kirishima, Tetsutetsu…

All these kids, most only around fifteen years old, were pushing themselves beyond their limits for what they believed in.

What a class...

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Present Mic's voice blared over the speakers, breaking Kaminari's thoughts. "What's going on down there?! When did Tetsutetsu pick up judo? He's tossing Kirishima around like a ragdoll!"

The announcer's bewilderment echoed the audience's reaction. From the stands, it really did look like Kirishima was being used as a human punching bag.

"Damn it!!"

Kirishima, his sports uniform in tatters and his expression battered but defiant, punched the cracked ground and staggered back to his feet.

"I don't accept this!"

"I'll never accept it!"

"This 'path' of yours… it's NOT the 'hardcore path'!"

Fueled by sheer willpower, Kirishima activated his "hardening" Quirk again, lunging toward Tetsutetsu with renewed intensity. This time, however, he was more careful, paying attention to Tetsutetsu's movements.

Stay calm, stay calm!

Every throw is exactly the same, he's only using one judo technique!

Adopting a different approach, Kirishima switched from punches to open-handed strikes, swinging his hardened hands like steel blades, making it harder for Tetsutetsu to grab him.

It was clear now that his earlier rage had clouded his thinking. After being thrown around twenty times, he was finally starting to adjust his strategy.

But Tetsutetsu wasn't done surprising him.

With a determined look, Tetsutetsu didn't move into his usual judo stance. Instead, he took a few bold strides forward, jumped into the air, and swung his iron-hardened leg at Kirishima.

"What—!"

Kirishima's eyes widened as he registered the change. He quickly tried to raise his guard, crossing his arms in front of him to block the incoming kick.

But reality is often harsher than intention. Before he could fully react, Tetsutetsu's iron foot slammed into his chest, leaving sparks in its wake.

BAM!

Kirishima was launched backward, his body hitting the ground with a heavy thud, kicking up a cloud of dust that hung in the air. The entire stadium fell into a hushed silence, with every pair of eyes locked on Tetsutetsu, who was calmly retracting his right leg.

"Judo isn't all I've been training in," Tetsutetsu said, his voice carrying across the arena. "I've been building up my leg strength too. Honestly, I spend more time on that than anything else."

Standing tall with the golden sunlight casting a glow around him, Tetsutetsu looked every bit like a colossus. His gaze drifted up to the stands, where he locked eyes with Kaminari.

For a brief moment, the two stared each other down from across the stadium, an unspoken challenge passing between them.

"This guy…" Kaminari raised an eyebrow, a smirk creeping onto his face. Is he… challenging me?

The cameras caught the moment perfectly, and it was displayed on the big screen for all to see.

Even though we're friends, I want to beat you fair and square in the finals, Tetsutetsu thought, clenching his fists. Only if I'm your equal can I truly be your partner, Kaminari Denki!

"Awesome!!" Present Mic shouted enthusiastically. "Tetsutetsu and Kirishima just gave us one heck of a brawl!"

"But I gotta say, Tetsutetsu, maybe 'Iron-Man' suits you better than judo or karate!"

"I'm not 'Iron-Man,'" Tetsutetsu responded, looking up at Present Mic with a smirk. "I'm the 'Colossus'!"

With that, he turned to Kirishima, who was slowly getting to his feet, clearly battered but not beaten. Tetsutetsu extended a hand.

"Kirishima!"

For a moment, Kirishima just stared at Tetsutetsu's outstretched hand. The whole stadium went quiet again, tension hanging in the air. In Class 1-A's section, everyone watched anxiously, hoping the two wouldn't leave on bad terms.

Then, with a resolute nod, Kirishima took Tetsutetsu's hand, gripping it tightly as he pulled himself up.

"I still don't agree with your approach," he said, his voice steady but respectful. "But I lost this time."

"But next time, I'll win. And I'll do it the real 'hardcore' way."

Tetsutetsu just grinned. "I'll be waiting!"

Side by side, the two walked off into the corridor, their departure followed by a roar of cheers from the audience. Kaminari watched them go, feeling like he was watching an episode of a live-action anime.

This is exactly like a scene out of a shonen manga. He couldn't help but think he could even hear some kind of epic BGM playing in his mind.

On the stage, Midnight twirled in place, hands pressed to her flushed cheeks as she watched the scene with starry eyes.

"So youthful!" she exclaimed, practically swooning. There was nothing she loved more than this kind of passionate, youthful spirit. It set her heart racing every time she saw it.

Yes! She lived for moments like these, just like the ones in those high school dramas!

"Phew, I'm just glad they didn't end up really fighting," Uraraka said with a relieved sigh, placing a hand over her heart as it finally slowed down.

"Tch, that was boring," Bakugo muttered, cracking his knuckles as he scowled at Kirishima's retreating back. "Can't believe that spiky-haired idiot actually lost."

"Well, it makes sense," Kaminari said calmly. "Tetsutetsu's hard work and dedication are on another level."

"Hard work pays off. It's not just a saying."

"Huh?!" Bakugo's face twisted into a fierce scowl, his shark-like grin returning as he glared at Kaminari. "Just wait. I'll blow that steel moron to bits if I get the chance!"

Kaminari chuckled, giving a casual shrug. But inside, he was a bit worried for Tetsutetsu. Judging by the match order, it was likely he'd face Bakugo soon.

"Ka-chan, don't get so worked up…" Midoriya said, trying to calm Bakugo down. His tone was almost like someone trying to soothe an unruly child.

Bakugo's face darkened, and he spun on Midoriya with a snarl. "Shut up, you damn nerd!"

"It's our turn next!"

Just then, Momo, seated in the front row near Kaminari, stood up and turned to face Kyoka, who was seated to Kaminari's right.

"Kyoka, I'm going all out!" Momo said, her tone full of determination.

"Bring it on!" Kyoka replied, matching Momo's intensity with a confident smile.

Sitting between the two, Kaminari couldn't help but feel the tension as sparks seemed to crackle between them.

But for some reason, he noticed something… different in Kyoka's gaze.

Is it just me, or… is there something more going on here?

He glanced from Yaoyorozu to Jiro, feeling a bit puzzled by the vibe he was picking up.

Maybe it's just my imagination…

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 101: Kyoka vs. Momo

With Present Mic's enthusiastic announcement, the ninth match of the first round was ready to begin.

Kyoka and Momo stood at opposite ends of the freshly repaired concrete arena, staring each other down in silence.

The two of them had complicated feelings about this match. For Kyoka, it was an unusual mixture of tension and determination. Before she'd joined the Hero Course and met Kaminari, her personality had always been carefree and straightforward; she hadn't put much thought into things like competition or rivalry.

But after Kaminari had started studying and training closely with Momo, Kyoka found herself caring about things she'd never thought about before.

Things like family background, appearance, figure, and even academic performance, all areas where she felt she fell short compared to Momo. In the end, it bothered her to realize that the only thing she felt she could truly compete with Momo in was music.

Though she still considered Momo a friend and respected her as a classmate, that small feeling of inferiority had settled deep in her heart.

This isn't about family or looks or grades, Kyoka thought, clenching her fists. In this match, I'm going to give it my all and prove that I'm better than her, at least here!

On the opposite side, Momo was unaware of Kyoka's inner turmoil, but she, too, was driven by a desire to win.

If I've chosen to walk the path of a Hero, then I have to do it right. I have to be excellent. All the years I've spent training my Quirk and studying would be meaningless otherwise.

Present Mic's voice rang out, echoing through the stadium: "Start!"

The second the match began, Kyoka acted first. She stretched one of her earphone jacks, plunging it into the concrete floor in front of her.

Momo's Quirk requires time to create items, so I have to disrupt her before she can build up momentum!

Using her amplified heartbeat, she sent powerful shockwaves into the ground through her earlobe jacks.

CRACK!

Large fractures spread across the concrete in front of Kyoka, as if an unseen force was tearing through the ground. The cracks rapidly expanded toward Momo, causing the ground to buckle and heave like something massive was stirring beneath the surface.

"I knew you'd go for that!"

Kyoka's attack method was direct but predictable. Momo had anticipated this strategy, and she was prepared.

Before the "earthquake" reached her, Momo leapt into the air, a faint shimmer of colorful light glowing around her hands as she activated her Quirk.

A moment later, a bright red pogo stick with a pattern of ninetales appeared in her grip.

With practiced ease, she stepped onto the foot pedals, using the pogo stick to bounce gracefully across the unstable ground, keeping her balance even as the concrete cracked and shifted beneath her.

"A… pogo stick?" Kaminari muttered, eyebrows raised in surprise. He couldn't be the only one thinking it; wasn't that just a toy they all played with as kids?

"INCREDIBLE!" Present Mic shouted, his voice booming with excitement.

"As expected of the top recommended student! Momo Yaoyorozu is bouncing through the earthquake zone like a fire butterfly! Where did she even get this idea?!"

Aizawa-sensei, watching closely, nodded thoughtfully. "It's impressive. The pogo stick is a surprisingly effective counter for Kyoka's attack. It gives Momo the mobility she needs to keep creating items."

But in the back of his mind, Aizawa wondered if this was something Momo had thought up on the spot, or if she knew Kyoka well enough to have planned for it.

Either way, it was an ingenious solution.

Back on the field, Kyoka frowned as she watched Momo bouncing around her attacks. The frustration was building.

What do I do? Think, Kyoka! There has to be a way…

While continuing to send shockwaves through the ground, she kept her distance from Momo, racking her brain for an opening.

Meanwhile, the colorful glow on Momo's hand faded, and an orange, compact net gun with a small fox pattern appeared.

Momo smiled in satisfaction as she examined her handiwork. It took longer to make this while bouncing around, but it's ready!

As Momo reached the peak of her jump, she took aim and fired.

Bang!

A burst of orange string shot from the net gun, unfurling mid-air into a large net nearly two meters in diameter, heading straight for Kyoka.

But Kyoka was no fool. She'd seen the glow around Momo's hands and had figured she'd been preparing something.

The instant she saw the net gun, she dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the net as it landed harmlessly on the cracked concrete.

"Nice try, Kyoka, but how many of those shots can you take?" Momo called, bouncing back and forth and reloading her net gun by creating fresh "ammo" using her Quirk.

This time, the faint glow spread to her abdomen and legs, hinting that she was preparing something else as well.

Bang!

Another net shot toward Kyoka, but this time, Kyoka was ready. She quickly inserted her other earphone jack into the ground, amplifying her heartbeat to shatter the net from within before it could expand.

"How did she do that?" Momo thought, startled by how Kyoka had neutralized the net mid-air. But she quickly regained her focus, analyzing her own mistake. Maybe I'm too close…

But if I go too far, she'll have more time to dodge... Not good!

Just as Momo prepared to create more ammunition, Kyoka suddenly dashed forward, closing the distance between them. She aimed her earphone jacks straight at Momo's equipment, ready to disrupt her creations directly.

Kyoka's plan was clear: if attacking the ground didn't work, she'd go straight for Momo herself. She couldn't let her keep making things freely.

And her strategy was working. With her earphone jacks constantly disrupting her, Momo found it harder and harder to concentrate. Kyoka's attacks kept interrupting her, stopping her from creating new ammo or even keeping her pogo stick stable.

The battle's momentum had shifted. Now it was Kyoka who was on the offensive, forcing Momo to defend herself.

But, as the saying goes, no one can keep up a perfect defense forever.

After several minutes of relentless pressure, Kyoka's earlobe finally managed to snag one of the pogo stick's foot pedals. With a sharp crack, the pogo stick snapped beneath Momo's feet, and she lost her balance with a surprised yelp.

This is my chance!

With fierce determination, Kyoka plunged her earphone jacks into the cracked ground once more. As soon as Momo's feet hit the ground, Kyoka activated her Quirk, sending another powerful shockwave into the concrete.

"Ahh!"

Momo staggered as the ground trembled violently, making it impossible to regain her footing. Her unloaded net gun slipped from her hands, clattering uselessly to the side.

"I've got you now!"

The tremors stopped for a brief moment, and before Momo could fully process what was happening, Kyoka rushed forward, giving her a firm push. Momo stumbled backward, right towards the edge of the ring.

"Kyoka… you…" Momo murmured as she fell back, catching a glimpse of the unwavering determination in Kyoka's eyes.

She really wants to win this…

"Not good!" Kaminari jumped up from his seat, alarmed. It wasn't the loss he was worried about, but the fact that Momo was falling backward, and her head was dangerously close to hitting the ground.

But his panic was short-lived, as Momo's fall came to an unexpected stop.

"Idiot," Kyoka muttered, glancing up at Kaminari with a slight smirk. "Did you really think I'd let her get hurt?"

It turned out Kyoka had extended her earlobe jacks to catch Momo just before she hit the ground. Simultaneously, Class B's instructor, Vlad, was standing nearby, ready to catch her if needed.

"Out of bounds!"

Midnight announced, cracking her whip with flair as she declared the outcome.

"Kyoka Jiro advances to the second round!"

Chapter 102: Three Times!

In the hallway where contestants exited the arena, Kyoka and Momo walked side by side in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

"I'm… sorry, Momo."

Kyoka was the first to break the silence, her voice soft and apologetic.

Momo smiled gently, shaking her head. "There's no need to apologize, Kyoka. We both agreed to go all out, didn't we?"

After a brief pause, Momo couldn't help but add, her curiosity getting the better of her, "But… I can't shake this feeling that you weren't just fighting to win. It seemed like there was something else behind it."

Kyoka's expression froze, her face turning slightly red. "W-What? No, of course not! I was just focused on winning, that's all!"

Momo observed her with a small, knowing smile. Kyoka was acting unusually flustered, and it only made Momo more convinced that something deeper was going on. However, her upbringing taught her when not to press further, especially with friends.

"Maybe it's just my imagination," Momo said, gracefully letting the topic drop.

Before they could say anything else, Kaminari appeared from the other end of the hallway, jogging over to meet them with an excited grin.

"Hey! There you two are!"

Both girls brightened at his arrival, each breaking into a smile, though Kyoka's was noticeably wider and more animated.

"Congratulations, Kyoka!" Kaminari said warmly. "I have to admit, I was a little worried since your attack options seemed limited without any equipment. But you really showed everyone that your jacks can be pretty dangerous on their own."

It wasn't just him, either—many people, including Momo, had assumed that without audio gear, Kyoka would be restricted to simple shockwave attacks through the ground. But they'd overlooked the fact that those same jacks could be a real threat in close combat.

"Eh-heh-heh," Kyoka laughed, her cheeks pink as she scratched her head. "Well, to be honest, I only started getting creative because Momo pushed me to the edge."

Kaminari turned to Momo with a smile, impressed. "You don't know how nervous I was watching that match. My brain was practically frozen!"

"Same here," Momo agreed, nodding with a hint of relief in her eyes. "Looking back, it was pretty intense."

Kyoka looked down, feeling a bit guilty. "I… I might've gone too far," she admitted quietly. "At the time, all I could think about was beating you, Momo. Maybe I got a bit carried away."

Momo waved her hand dismissively. "Kyoka, really, I'm not upset. I know you weren't doing it to be mean."

Kaminari watched the two of them, smiling as they worked out their post-match feelings. He decided to step in before things got too sentimental.

"Alright, let's head to the lounge and relax," he suggested. "No need to watch the last match if you don't want to. I think we've all had enough excitement for now."

Truthfully, Kaminari was just glad to spend some downtime with them. Watching their match had been nerve-wracking, especially since he hadn't known who to root for or what outcome he wanted. That tense moment when it looked like Momo might fall had been the worst of all.

As they walked down the hallway, their conversation turned lighter.

"So, Momo, you really seem to like that 'Vulpix' theme," Kaminari said, amused.

"Yes, I do!" Momo replied with a cheerful nod.

"Hey, I think my Sonic Bunny's pretty cute too," Kyoka chimed in. "Kaminari, think you could ask your dad to design a speaker for it? Maybe work it into my hero costume?"

"Sure, I'll talk to him," Kaminari replied with a chuckle. "He'd probably enjoy the project."

Their voices faded as they turned the corner, laughter echoing down the hallway, their friendship feeling stronger than ever.

---

Meanwhile, back in the stadium, the final match of the first round was about to begin: Sero Hanta from Class 1-A versus Class 1-B's team leader, Kendo Itsuka.

This match, however, quickly became a test of patience more than skill.

Sero's strategy was simple—he shot tape from his elbows, aiming to wrap Kendo and throw her out of bounds. But each time the tape reached her, Kendo's enlarged hands tore through it with ease. Her Quirk not only allowed her to increase her hand size but also boosted her physical strength.

The problem was, while Kendo had impressive defense, her movements were slowed by the weight of her giant hands, so she couldn't catch up with the agile Sero.

What resulted was a rather anticlimactic game of cat and mouse: Sero shooting tape, Kendo tearing it apart, Sero running, Kendo chasing.

It continued like this for a grueling twenty minutes. The crowd grew restless, and even Present Mic's usually energetic commentary was starting to sound drowsy.

By now, Aizawa, who had returned from a meeting with the principal, was sitting beside Present Mic. He'd gone a step further, he was actually asleep.

Present Mic finally couldn't hold back his frustration. "Can you guys hurry this up? This is so dull!" he shouted, his voice lacking its usual fire.

Hearing this over the speakers, both Sero and Kendo felt an imaginary arrow pierce their hearts.

What does he think we're trying to do?! Sero thought, his shoulders slumping. He looked down at his elbow, staring at the tape dispenser that had been his primary weapon.

"Man, they really shouldn't have put us up against each other," he muttered, frustrated. "I'm all control and no damage, and she's all defense with no speed."

With another ten minutes of back-and-forth, even the two combatants were starting to get bored. That's when Sero finally noticed… he'd run out of tape.

"(;￣Д￣)"

Sero stared at his elbow in shock, trying to shoot tape again, but nothing came out.

"Wait… my tape actually runs out?!" he muttered, dumbfounded. In all his training, he'd never faced this problem before.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the arena, Kendo stood there, equally dazed, her brain still in "tear the tape" mode. She stared blankly at her hands, waiting for more tape to come her way.

"Huh? Where's the tape?" Kendo asked, snapping out of her trance as she looked around in confusion.

That was the last straw for Sero.

Completely drained and out of options, he raised his hand, calling out to Midnight, who was officiating the match. "I… I give up."

But Midnight, who had dozed off during the match, didn't respond.

Sero gritted his teeth, his face darkening with irritation. "I said, I give up!"

Still nothing.

Finally, after taking a deep breath, Sero yelled at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing across the entire stadium. "I, SERO HANTA, SURRENDER!!!"

His shout startled everyone awake, including Midnight and the thousands of spectators. For that moment, he had more of the crowd's attention than Kendo, who had technically won the match.

In the end, Sero might not have won, but he did manage to make a name for himself.

After all, since the founding of UA, he was now the first contestant to declare his surrender three times in a row.

Chapter 103: Iida’s Measures

"Phew—finally over," Ashido sighed, stretching with a helpless smile. "I didn't expect there'd be such a boring match at the sports festival."

"Yeah, probably the first one in years," Tsuyu agreed with her usual straightforward tone.

Suddenly, Tokoyami, who was sitting quietly in the front row, turned to Iida. "Is something bothering you?"

Tokoyami's unexpected question drew everyone's attention. He was known to be reserved, only speaking up when he had something important to say.

"Oh, um… it's nothing," Iida replied, snapping out of his thoughts. Realizing his classmates were now all looking at him, he waved his hands in a flustered attempt to dismiss their concern. "I'm just… worried about my next match."

"Is it Iida-kun's turn next?" Aoyama Yuga asked, frowning as he tried to recall the matchups. "Your opponent is… Kaminari, right?"

At the mention of Kaminari's name, Ashido, Tsuyu, and the others exchanged knowing glances. They immediately understood why Iida seemed tense.

"Yes," Iida nodded with a heavy expression. "I'm thinking of strategies to counter Kaminari-kun's abilities."

"It's true," Shoji Mezo chimed in, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "Kaminari's lightning is a major problem for you. You may be fast, but Kaminari's no slouch when it comes to speed either."

"Plus, if you want to win, you'll have to push him out of the ring, which means you'll need to get close," Ojiro Mashirao added. "But if you get too close, his lightning could shock you."

"So… it sounds like Iida-kun doesn't really have a way to counter Kaminari's Quirk," Ashido said with a sympathetic smile. For the first time, she and the others saw Kaminari as a formidable opponent—someone who was difficult to defeat in a straightforward match.

"Tch," Bakugo scoffed, crossing his arms. He didn't comment further, though. Even he had to admit that the gap between Kaminari and Iida was significant.

Meanwhile, Todoroki, who was leaning against the wall nearby, seemed deep in thought as well. But his focus wasn't on Kaminari as an opponent. Instead, he was more interested in figuring out what new techniques Kaminari might use.

If he's relying on those steel balls as much as I think he is… Todoroki mused. Without his 'Thunder Aegis' move, I'm confident my ice could handle him.

As these thoughts circulated, Todoroki straightened and quietly headed toward the corridor, preparing for his upcoming match.

Hitoshi Shinso… if that's all he has, this should be quick.

Just as Todoroki left, Kaminari returned to the Class 1-A seating area, chatting and laughing with Kyoka and Momo beside him. But as soon as he sat down, he noticed the entire class staring at him.

"Huh? Why's everyone looking at me like that?" he asked, blinking in surprise.

Ashido laughed awkwardly, while Iida stepped forward, clearing his throat. Taking on his usual serious demeanor, Iida extended his hand toward Kaminari.

"Kaminari-kun, we'll be facing each other after Todoroki-san's match," he said earnestly. "Let's put on a good show. I'll do my best!"

Kaminari raised an eyebrow at Iida's intensity but stood up and shook his hand with equal respect. "Alright, Iida. I won't hold back. Do your best."

As he sat back down, Kaminari turned his attention to the big screen where Todoroki and Shinso were just stepping onto the field. Thoughts about Iida's Quirk began to drift through his mind.

Hmm… actually, there's not much to think about.

Iida's Quirk, "Engine," was straightforward, he used bursts of speed by activating the engines in his legs. All I need to do is watch out for those flying kicks.

The real question is how I should approach this match. It wouldn't feel right to end it too quickly or knock him out cold. After all, he's a member of the prestigious Iida family and our class representative… Maybe I'll just run a few laps with him instead.

With that thought in mind, Kaminari settled back to watch Todoroki's match, just as Present Mic shouted his usual "Start!"

But this fight ended almost as soon as it began. On the big screen, Shinso raised his hand, signaling his surrender.

"I lost," he said, voice calm but filled with a quiet frustration. The regret in his eyes was unmistakable, and he took a steadying breath before continuing.

"I want to win… I want to keep going… but I know it would just be a waste of time."

Then, with a determined look, he raised his head. "But next year, I'll be back here. And next time, I'll be different, a Hitoshi Shinso who's put in the work!"

With those words, he bowed deeply to Todoroki and the audience, then turned and walked off the field with his head held high.

Despite the abrupt forfeit, the crowd was moved by Shinso's honesty and resolve. After all, he was a competitor who had come this far without any combat advantage, and everyone could respect his decision to return stronger.

In the stands, Iida felt a pang of anxiety. He'd hoped to have more time to think about a strategy for Kaminari, but Shinso's early surrender meant that his match was up next.

"Let's go, Iida-kun," Kaminari said with a smile. He nodded at Kyoka and Momo before turning toward the arena corridor.

Iida took a deep breath, steadying himself as he followed Kaminari. Determination filled his eyes, and his posture was one of complete focus.

"Come on, class rep!" Ashido called out, clapping her hands in encouragement. "You got this!"

"Yeah! There's always a way to win!" Tsuyu added, her voice supportive. "Show Kaminari what you've got!"

Almost everyone in Class 1-A was rooting for Iida. Despite his odds, they cheered him on, hoping he'd find a way to close the gap between him and Kaminari.

Meanwhile, Present Mic was back in full announcer mode. "Alright, everyone, let's keep this energy going! Time for the second match of the second round!"

"The electric powerhouse, Kaminari Denki, returns to the field!"

The crowd roared with excitement, but Present Mic quickly shifted the spotlight to Iida as well.

"But Kaminari's opponent this time isn't just anybody! It's none other than Iida Tenya, from the famous Iida family of Heroes! His older brother is the Turbo Hero Ingenium!"

The camera operators immediately started scanning the audience, hoping to spot Ingenium cheering on his little brother.

Iida, already standing at the edge of the arena, noticed the cameras and raised his voice confidently. "My brother couldn't be here today, as he's on a mission. But I'll give this everything I've got and make him proud!"

His voice rang out clearly, and as he turned to face Kaminari, his expression was resolute.

"You're strong, Kaminari," Iida said, determination shining in his eyes. "But I won't let that stop me. I want to be a Hero like my brother, and I won't back down!"

Kaminari grinned, his expression relaxed but focused. A spark of golden electricity flashed between his eyebrows, and he waved his hand, motioning for Iida to bring it on.

"Alright then," he replied. "Just wanting to be brave isn't enough to beat me, Iida.

Chapter 104: Kaminari’s Deeper Intentions

"Start!!!"

CRACKLE

WHOOSH!!

Present Mic's enthusiastic shout echoed through the arena as the match between Kaminari and Iida began. The instant the signal was given, both contestants charged at each other, closing the distance with incredible speed.

"I know that touching him means risking an electric shock… but if I don't get close, there's no chance of winning!"

With this determination, Iida leaned into his Quirk, his calf engines roaring to life. He launched himself forward with a fierce side kick, aimed right at Kaminari's left side.

Iida's movement was sharp and precise, his speed impressive even by pro standards. But Kaminari, surrounded by crackling golden lightning, moved just as swiftly, easily dodging Iida's kicks.

For now, Kaminari seemed content to avoid the attacks, watching Iida's movements with an almost playful curiosity.

"What's the deal, Iida? Did your family run a taekwondo studio or something?" Kaminari joked, ducking under another kick with a smirk.

But Iida, fully focused on the battle, ignored Kaminari's taunt. Seizing a split-second opening as Kaminari spoke, Iida revved his engines and propelled himself forward with renewed force.

This time, Kaminari didn't dodge. He lowered his stance, crossing his arms to block Iida's kick head-on.

BAM!!

The impact echoed through the arena, and for a brief moment, the crowd fell silent. Iida's expression flickered with satisfaction, but it quickly turned to shock.

"Not bad, Iida-kun… Your leg strength is impressive. Honestly, only Tetsutetsu can probably match you there," Kaminari said, holding Iida's leg firmly. His hands tightened, and the electricity around him intensified, causing golden sparks to jump from his fingers.

"But I'm done watching. Now, let's see how strong your will is."

"One hundred thousand volts!"

"Uh-oh—!"

Iida's eyes widened as Kaminari's electricity surged through him. The bright, crackling energy wrapped around him, and he let out an involuntary scream as the powerful current coursed through his body.

The shock only lasted a few seconds before Kaminari released Iida's leg, stepping back to give him some space.

"Now let's see if you can still stand after that," Kaminari called out, his gaze steady and almost challenging.

Kaminari's tone was unnervingly calm, and his words carried an edge that was new to the audience. Some onlookers shifted uncomfortably, finding his approach unsettling.

To many, especially some professional Heroes in the crowd, it looked like Kaminari was toying with his opponent, pushing him beyond what seemed necessary. A few frowned, displeased.

But Kaminari wasn't aiming to entertain them, nor did he mind their judgment. He had a reason for pushing Iida this way.

He knew that in a straightforward match, he could have defeated Iida quickly. But if he'd done that, Iida who had yet to stand out in this sports festival would've missed his chance to make an impression. Kaminari wanted to give Iida an opportunity to push himself and show his true strength.

And sure enough, Iida didn't disappoint.

With visible effort, Iida struggled to his feet, his body still trembling from the shock, but his resolve as firm as ever.

"That's more like it," Kaminari said, smiling slightly. "If a single shock is enough to stop you, then maybe you're in the wrong place."

Iida gritted his teeth, his voice trembling but resolute. "I… I will never give up!"

Once again, he revved his engines, this time pushing himself to third gear—the highest his engines could go under normal circumstances. In a flash, he was right in front of Kaminari, his leg swinging forward in a powerful strike.

"Third Gear… Explosive Blow!"

"Electric Light Fist!"

The two attacks collided mid-air, creating a burst of energy that sent shockwaves across the arena. Kaminari was forced to take a step back from the impact, but he was unfazed. Meanwhile, Iida's legs trembled slightly as residual sparks crackled around his limbs.

"So, this current is… manageable," Iida noted, relieved that this shock hadn't been as overwhelming as the last.

But then Kaminari's smirk turned sharp, and he lifted his right hand, palm facing Iida.

"Two hundred thousand volts… Chain Lightning!"

CRACKLE

A more intense wave of electricity shot from Kaminari's palm, instantly connecting with the residual charge in Iida's legs like a homing signal. Iida's eyes widened, and he instinctively tried to move, but the electricity followed him, zapping him before he could escape.

ZAP!

"Aaaahhhh!"

Iida's scream echoed through the arena as he dropped to the ground, his muscles spasming from the powerful shock. Kaminari released the current after a few seconds, stepping back as Iida lay twitching on the concrete floor.

The Class 1-A students in the stands grew tense, some visibly uncomfortable with what they were witnessing. A few sensitive students, particularly the girls, looked disturbed by how Kaminari was handling the match.

"Is there some bad blood between the class rep and Kaminari?" Mineta whispered nervously.

"No… but this is too much!" Ashido Mina said, looking upset. She couldn't understand why Kaminari was being so harsh.

"Kaminari must have a reason," Momo murmured, watching Kaminari thoughtfully. For some reason, his behavior felt strangely familiar, almost purposeful.

Todoroki, who was watching from a distance, remembered the way Kaminari had acted in their first combat training. His expression darkened. Is this just his idea of fun, or is there something deeper going on here?

Meanwhile, some of the professional Heroes in the crowd could no longer contain their anger.

"Hey! If you're so much stronger than him, just knock him out and end it!" one of them shouted.

"Right! He's the younger brother of Ingenium! There's no need to humiliate him like this!"

Present Mic, watching from the announcer's booth, was about to speak up when Aizawa held out a hand to stop him.

"Wait and watch," Aizawa said quietly. "Think back to what we saw on the footage All Might showed us. Kaminari Denki isn't an ordinary kid… not just in terms of power."

In the arena, Kaminari remained focused on Iida, ignoring the outbursts from the crowd.

"Get up!" he shouted, his tone sharp. "Didn't you say you wanted to be a Hero like your brother?"

He let the words sink in, seeing the effect they had on Iida. "Are you really going to fall here and let your brother be ashamed of you?"

As if triggered by the mention of his brother, Iida's hand twitched. Slowly but surely, he pushed himself up, his face a mix of pain and determination.

"My brother… I can't let him down… I won't give up…"

A renewed energy filled Iida as he forced himself to stand. He clenched his fists, his eyes blazing with resolve.

"Good," Kaminari said approvingly, his stance relaxed but his eyes intense. "Now, come at me. Give it everything you've got, class rep."

Iida didn't answer with words. He crouched low, preparing himself, his engines sparking to life. Despite his ragged appearance, he looked determined and ready.

In an instant, blue flames erupted from the exhaust pipes on his calves, a sign that he was about to push beyond his usual limits.

"Piston Engine… Explosive Dash!"

With a powerful blast, Iida shot forward, disappearing from sight like a streak of light.

Chapter 105: Lie and Thank You

CRACKLE

Just as the blue blur that was Iida shot toward Kaminari, Kaminari himself turned into a streak of golden light, dodging in a flash and circling around to get behind Iida.

"That speed…!" Iida's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Kaminari to keep up with him, especially since he had pushed his engines to their absolute limit, generating speed he could only maintain for a few seconds.

"Ten seconds… that's all I've got!"

WHOOSH

CRACKLE

BOOM!

The arena became a whirlwind of motion, with a blue light and a golden light darting around, colliding, separating, and then charging at each other again. It was as if they were performing a high-speed dance, each clash sparking with intensity. The audience was on the edge of their seats, transfixed by the display.

"Wooah! Did you see that?! Iida and Kaminari are going all out!" Present Mic shouted, his excitement amplified through his Quirk. "This might not have the flash of Todoroki's ice, but the sheer speed and energy here, this is what the sports festival is all about!"

The Class 1-A students were equally amazed. Kirishima's mouth hung open as he stared at the blurs of blue and gold streaking across the arena. "Iida's this strong? And Kaminari's speed—it's insane! He's way faster than I thought!"

"How is Kaminari moving like that?" Asui wondered, her round eyes wide with surprise.

Only those who'd faced Kaminari in the obstacle race—Todoroki, Midoriya, and Bakugo remained calm, each understanding just how much Kaminari was capable of.

"He's gotten stronger," Tetsutetsu muttered to himself, his fists clenched tightly. Watching Kaminari push Iida like this only fueled his own drive to improve. "I've gotta keep working harder if I want to fight alongside him one day!"

Meanwhile, Kaminari himself was impressed. Iida's fast, he thought, dodging another powerful kick. And he's got guts, too.

Iida wasn't just matching his speed. Every time their bodies clashed, Iida endured another painful electric shock, yet he never slowed down. His resilience was remarkable, each strike pushing him to his limits.

Realizing the depth of Iida's determination, Kaminari felt his own resolve sharpen. He's giving it everything he's got, Kaminari thought, respect flashing in his eyes. Then I owe him the same in return.

"Dance, Iida!" Kaminari's voice rang out, amplified through the speakers, catching the attention of everyone watching.

Iida's eyes narrowed, the adrenaline surging through him. "This… this is the last one… my final blow!" he shouted, feeling the last few seconds of his boost slipping away. Channeling every ounce of his strength into his right leg, he rocketed toward Kaminari, a fierce determination blazing in his gaze.

"Kaminari-kun! This is everything I have—to defeat you, to surpass you!"

Kaminari's smile was fierce as he prepared for the impact. He wasn't about to back down. "Alright, Iida!" he roared back. "Bring it on!"

With one last burst of speed, Iida and Kaminari collided at the center of the arena, golden lightning and blue flames exploding outward in a brilliant flash.

BOOM!

Their final clash sent a powerful shockwave rippling across the arena, both fighters caught in a deadlock for a moment, Kaminari's electrified elbow against Iida's powerful kick. But as Iida's engines sputtered and gave out, he lost momentum, the force of the clash sending him flying backward.

"Danger!" Vlad King, the Class B teacher on standby, sprang into action. Using his Quirk, he transformed his blood into a soft, protective barrier, catching Iida before he could crash into the arena wall.

The electric sparks clinging to Iida fizzled out as he lay unconscious on the blood curtain, his body finally succumbing to the exhaustion.

Stepping forward, Midnight raised her arm. "Iida Tenya is unable to continue! Kaminari Denki wins and advances to the next round!"

There was a smattering of applause, but it was muted. Although the battle had been thrilling, many in the audience felt uneasy about Kaminari's approach, especially after he'd taunted Iida so openly.

What they didn't realize was that, thanks to this fight, Iida had left a lasting impression. Among the professional Heroes watching, several were already discussing the potential of scouting him.

Kaminari, breathing heavily, let the golden glow around him dissipate. His hair fell back into place as he glanced down at the unconscious Iida. A small smile played on his lips. "You did great… class rep."

With that, he turned his back on the audience and walked off into the corridor, disappearing from sight as the second match of the second round came to a close.

---

Above, Aizawa watched Kaminari with narrowed eyes. "That kid… he did all of this to help Iida stand out."

Beside him, Present Mic was puzzled. "Why put on such a show, though? Doesn't he care about his own reputation with the pros?"

Aizawa shrugged. "Kaminari's not your typical student. He's… thoughtful, in his own way."

Meanwhile, in the stands, Momo seemed to have reached the same conclusion. "Kaminari knew that if he defeated Iida easily, no one would notice him. But by pushing him like that, he made sure Iida had his moment."

The students around her looked at each other, their initial misgivings about Kaminari fading as they processed Momo's explanation. Even Mina, who had felt uncomfortable watching the match, began to soften. "I guess that does sound like something Kaminari would do."

"Yeah!" Kyoka added. "He's not the type to be mean just for the sake of it."

As the students murmured among themselves, their respect for Kaminari grew.

---

Back in the medical room, Iida slowly opened his eyes, wincing at the soreness that lingered in his muscles.

"Are you alright?" came a familiar voice.

Looking over, Iida saw Kaminari leaning against the doorframe, hands in his pockets, watching him calmly.

"No hard feelings?" Kaminari asked, his tone casual.

Iida chuckled, though the movement hurt. "Not at all. Thank you… for giving me everything you had. I know you could've ended the match in the beginning if you wanted to."

Kaminari nodded, acknowledging the truth of Iida's words. He turned to leave, but as he reached the door, Iida called out once more.

"It's a lie, isn't it?" Iida's voice was quiet, tinged with a hint of self-awareness. "You still had strength left, didn't you?"

Kaminari paused, his back to Iida. After a moment, he responded, his voice softer, almost gentle. "No… I gave it everything I had."

With that, he walked out, letting the door click shut behind him.

Lying there, Iida stared at the ceiling for a long time before a small smile crept onto his face. He let out a tired laugh.

"Liar… but… thank you, Kaminari."

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 106: Endeavor and Kaminari

Tap, tap, tap.

The corridor was silent except for the sound of Kaminari's footsteps echoing against the walls. Occasionally, Present Mic's excited commentary from the stadium speakers would break through, but otherwise, Kaminari walked alone, deep in thought.

"Hmm… Tokoyami versus Ashido Mina. That one shouldn't have much suspense," Kaminari muttered to himself, picturing the likely outcome as he headed toward the exit to the audience seats. But suddenly, he caught another sound—another set of footsteps, heavier than his own.

He froze for a moment, just as a flash of red light appeared around the corner. Stepping into view was a towering figure, nearly two meters tall, wreathed in flames. Kaminari's eyes widened in recognition.

"Endeavor…!" Kaminari whispered, instantly recognizing the number-two Hero in Japan.

"Ah, I found you," Endeavor said, his deep voice resonating through the corridor as he fixed his intense gaze on Kaminari. It was clear he'd been looking for him specifically.

"Looking for me?" Kaminari asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I saw your performance in the matches," Endeavor said, his tone carrying a rare note of approval. "You're impressive, perhaps even a 'genius' in your own way."

"Thanks, I guess," Kaminari replied, unsure of where this was going.

Endeavor continued, "You're likely the only student among this year's freshmen who can push Shoto to his full strength."

"Oh?" Kaminari replied, tilting his head. "What about Bakugo?"

Endeavor looked momentarily surprised but then shook his head. "That explosive kid? He's strong, yes, but he's still not enough to make Shoto go all out."

Kaminari's brow furrowed slightly. "When you say 'Shoto's full strength,' you're talking about him using his Quirk on the right side too, right?"

"Correct," Endeavor said, his expression unreadable. "To be precise, I mean using both Quirks together—fire and ice. That's the true potential Shoto has, and it's the key to him surpassing All Might."

Kaminari noted the almost fanatical gleam in Endeavor's eyes as he spoke. There was a deep, personal determination behind his words, something intense and unsettling.

"So, what exactly did you come here to ask me?" Kaminari asked, his voice wary.

Endeavor's gaze sharpened. "Judging by the bracket, you'll be facing my son soon. I think this match could be a perfect testing ground for him. I want you to force him to use his fire."

Kaminari took in the request, feeling a flicker of irritation. "Testing ground, huh?" he echoed, his tone cooling. "Sounds to me like you're assuming that once he goes all out, he'll win easily."

Endeavor looked down at Kaminari with a steady, almost dismissive gaze. "I'm confident in Shoto's abilities, yes. You're talented, but there's a difference between a talented student and Shoto at full power."

Kaminari clenched his fists, his expression tightening. "You keep talking about Shoto's 'full power,' but you haven't seen what I can really do, either."

"Perhaps," Endeavor replied, his tone unwavering. "But I trust in the strength of my bloodline."

Kaminari's patience frayed. "So that's what this is about? You think your bloodline is somehow superior?"

"No," Endeavor corrected, his voice cold and detached. "It's not about nobility, it's about strength. Shoto is the perfect result of my efforts to create someone capable of surpassing All Might. No amount of talent can change that fundamental difference."

Kaminari gritted his teeth, holding back his anger. He knew it wasn't wise to provoke Endeavor outright, especially given the power difference between them. But the arrogance in Endeavor's words was hard to swallow.

After a moment, he forced himself to stay calm. "And why should I help you?" he challenged. "Why should I push Todoroki to use his fire if it means giving up my own shot at winning?"

Endeavor's gaze didn't waver, though he seemed almost disappointed. "If it's compensation you're looking for, I can provide that. Money, connections—once you graduate, I could even place you in one of the top agencies."

Kaminari's expression hardened. He looked away, as though dismissing the offer as trivial. "No thanks. I don't need your money, and I don't need your connections."

He took a step forward, brushing past Endeavor, but paused just as he passed him. "But fine. I'll do what you're asking, on one condition."

Endeavor's eyebrows rose slightly, intrigued.

"Just remember… you owe me a punch," Kaminari said, his voice low.

Endeavor's expression didn't change, though he didn't turn to watch Kaminari walk away. The number-two Hero didn't take the words seriously, he barely registered the threat.

"It's up to you," Endeavor said over his shoulder, his voice cool and detached. "As long as you push him to use his fire, that's all that matters."

Kaminari didn't respond. He simply continued walking, disappearing down the corridor. But Endeavor's flaming brows furrowed slightly as he replayed the words in his head. Something about Kaminari's tone had struck him as genuine.

"Hmph… nonsense," Endeavor muttered, dismissing the thought.

---

When Kaminari returned to the Class 1-A seats, the match had just ended. Tokoyami's Dark Shadow had overpowered Mina, pushing her out of the arena.

"Kaminari!" Kyoka called out, noticing him return. She seemed to want to ask him something but hesitated, glancing at the others around her.

"Don't worry," Kaminari said, reading the question in her eyes. "I just came from the infirmary. Iida's awake, and he's fine."

"Thank goodness!" Kirishima said, letting out a relieved sigh. "Man, I thought you two were gonna kill each other out there!"

Kaminari smiled, his tension easing as the mood lightened around him. Whatever misunderstandings his intense battle with Iida had caused seemed to have faded.

"Alright, everyone!" Present Mic's voice boomed over the stadium. "After thirteen thrilling matches, we're gonna take a quick break! Thirty minutes to grab some snacks, stretch those legs, or take care of… uh, any pressing needs!"

The students laughed, a few of them visibly relaxing as the announcement of a break set in.

"And don't forget, folks—when we're back, it's time for the fourth match of the second round: Bakugo Katsuki versus Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu! It's explosion versus steel! Don't miss it!"

Chapter 107: Big Crisis! Tetsutetsu!

Thirty minutes sounds short, but if you convert it to 1,800,000 milliseconds, it starts to feel even shorter. Well, in reality, it's barely enough time to grab a quick drink or use the restroom. During the break, Kaminari didn't really chat with Kyoka, Momo, or the others. His mood had soured after the encounter with Endeavor, and he was still processing the interaction.

The more he thought about it, the more he grudgingly acknowledged that Endeavor's words had a point. In a world where superpowers were tied to physical attributes, there might not be a clear "hierarchy" like in fantasy novels, but everyone knew that some Quirks started out stronger than others. A child born with a flame that could incinerate buildings was, in pure potential, a step ahead of someone with a weaker fire-based Quirk.

It was a reality that stung. No matter how much he trained, he couldn't ignore the advantage that Todoroki's heritage gave him. And Endeavor's words only served to highlight that difference.

But knowing this didn't make it any less infuriating. Kaminari wasn't one to back down just because of someone else's "noble lineage." If anything, it pushed him to fight harder.

"Kaminari?"

He was jolted out of his thoughts by Kyoka nudging him. "The match is starting," she said, pointing down at the arena.

He looked over the railing just in time to see Tetsutetsu and Bakugo facing each other. Tetsutetsu stood with a calm expression, though there was a flicker of tension in his eyes.

Kaminari narrowed his eyes. Facing Bakugo's relentless aggression, Tetsutetsu's judo skills wouldn't be much help here. So, what's your plan, Tetsutetsu?

As Present Mic's voice boomed, the match began.

"Start!"

With the shout of "Start!", Bakugo immediately sprang forward, launching himself toward Tetsutetsu like a beast unleashed, his palms crackling with explosive force.

Tetsutetsu didn't say a word in response. He hardened his body, his skin turning to steel, and met Bakugo's charge head-on. All of his focus was trained on his opponent.

What followed was an intense exchange in the middle of the arena. Tetsutetsu, completely abandoning the judo he'd trained in, relied solely on his strength. He swung his iron-clad legs with brutal force, each kick backed by raw power. Bakugo, meanwhile, used smaller explosions to deflect or dodge Tetsutetsu's strikes, but he was clearly struggling against Tetsutetsu's iron defenses.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

Each clash sent shockwaves through the stadium. Tetsutetsu's kicks were powerful enough to make Bakugo backpedal, each impact ringing out as metal met force.

Bakugo's usual explosions aren't enough to get through Tetsutetsu's iron defense, Kaminari realized, watching the battle unfold. In terms of sheer physical power, Tetsutetsu's leg strength is formidable.

Bakugo was starting to realize this as well. Every time he tried to get close, Tetsutetsu would swing his legs with enough power to force him back. Bakugo's explosions were leaving superficial damage at best, but they weren't stopping his opponent.

"Looks like I'll need something bigger if I want to bring him down!" Bakugo thought, his mind already working out his next move.

Without warning, Bakugo fired an explosion behind himself, launching into the air above Tetsutetsu.

Tetsutetsu's eyes widened in shock as he looked up.

"Die, you iron bastard!" Bakugo shouted, his expression twisted with intensity. He raised both hands, palms facing down toward Tetsutetsu.

The audience collectively held their breath as Bakugo brought his hands together, readying his signature move.

"Flashbang!"

In a blinding flash of light, Bakugo's combined explosions created a flare that momentarily turned the entire arena white. Tetsutetsu's vision was overwhelmed, and he instinctively staggered, momentarily blinded.

"Perfect," Bakugo muttered, dropping down toward his opponent with a cruel grin. "Now take this—"

Bakugo's palms, now inches from Tetsutetsu, sparked with an intense charge, prepared for a devastating explosion.

"Kaminari!!!" Kyoka exclaimed, noticing Kaminari's stricken expression as he realized what was about to happen.

"That move…" Kaminari stood abruptly, dread creeping up his spine. "If that connects…"

From his spot against the wall, Todoroki's eyes narrowed as well. "If Bakugo lands that, Tetsutetsu could be seriously hurt," he muttered, concern flashing across his face.

Present Mic's voice was panicked. "Bakugo, don't—! Stop him!"

But before the teachers could react, Bakugo's Howitzer Impact had already fired.

"HOWITZER IMPACT!"

A thunderous explosion engulfed the area, sending a massive shockwave throughout the stadium. Debris and smoke filled the air, obscuring everything from view.

Kaminari watched with clenched fists, his mind racing. With the Flashbang, Tetsutetsu wouldn't have been able to see or react in time… Did he get caught in that blast?

The crowd was silent, holding their breath as the smoke began to clear, slowly revealing the aftermath of Bakugo's attack.

But as the last remnants of smoke faded, what they saw left everyone in stunned disbelief.

There, standing amidst the rubble, was Tetsutetsu—completely unharmed. Somehow, he'd managed to avoid the brunt of the attack, standing in a different spot from where he had been just moments before. Bakugo, meanwhile, was on the ground, panting heavily, his arms trembling from the effort.

"H-How?" Bakugo muttered, staring at Tetsutetsu in shock.

The teachers, too, were dumbfounded. Cementoss, Midnight, and Vlad King stood frozen, unable to comprehend what they were seeing.

"How did he dodge that?" Present Mic yelled, disbelief clear in his voice.

Even Aizawa was taken aback, squinting down at Tetsutetsu. "What… happened?"

Kaminari, however, had an idea. A bold, impossible thought crossed his mind, but he couldn't shake it. "Could he have…?"

Chapter 108: The Big Dark Horse

"Hey, you... how did you dodge that?!"

Bakugo stared in shock at Tetsutetsu, who had somehow managed to move from directly in front of him to the left sideline. Caught up in trying to figure out how his opponent had escaped, he momentarily forgot about the intense pain in his arms.

"Heh."

Tetsutetsu gave a small, smug grin, but he wasn't going to explain. No one noticed that his right leg was trembling slightly. The technique he'd just used would have seriously injured anyone else if they hadn't trained for it.

In truth, he hadn't fully mastered this move. It was something he'd pulled off on instinct, more of a "lucky escape" than a fully controlled technique. To put it bluntly, he'd used it like a makeshift teleport.

Yes, he'd somehow managed to utilize the Marine-style technique "Shave," but barely. He'd been fortunate to dodge the blast radius of Bakugo's Howitzer Impact, and he knew it.

"Bakugo," Tetsutetsu said as he took a step closer, "after using that huge explosion, your Quirk probably needs a moment to recover!"

He continued to approach Bakugo, voice steady, "If you admit defeat now, at least you'll lose with a little dignity."

"Hahahahaha!"

Bakugo's arms trembled, but he grinned through the pain, his eyes filled with defiance. "You really think you've won, don't you? Ironhead?!"

"Listen up, I might not be able to use my Quirk right now, but I'm not done!"

Bakugo's voice was fierce, filled with an intense resolve. "If you want to beat me, you'll have to work for it, you steel bastard!"

Tetsutetsu wasn't surprised by Bakugo's answer. After all, he knew this guy's stubbornness.

"In that case, I'm not holding back."

He took a step forward, determination burning in his eyes. "I want to reach Kaminari in the finals..."

With that, Tetsutetsu, his body hardened into steel once again, surged forward. This time, he went in with his hands instead of his legs.

Bakugo didn't retreat. He could have bought time to recover his Quirk, but that wasn't his style. He wanted to win, but more than that, he wanted to win on his terms. Running away wasn't an option.

So, Bakugo braced himself, his sharp gaze fixed on Tetsutetsu's movements, analyzing every shift in stance. Without his explosions, he'd have to rely entirely on his reflexes.

"Whoosh!"

"Wham!"

Tetsutetsu's fists came swinging in heavy arcs, but Bakugo's agility allowed him to dodge each strike with almost unnatural precision. He ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding the onslaught of punches and kicks. His raw instincts were on full display, showcasing the kind of fighting talent that set him apart.

Despite the intense pressure from Tetsutetsu's attacks, Bakugo was managing to hold his ground, frustrating his opponent with each missed strike. Every time Tetsutetsu threw a powerful punch, Bakugo sidestepped it. When Tetsutetsu went for a kick, Bakugo leaned back just far enough to avoid getting hit.

The professional heroes in the audience watched with wide eyes. Bakugo's erratic, yet precise, dodges were a sight to behold, displaying an almost feral sense of survival.

"Is this kid... a genius or something?" one pro hero muttered in awe.

But just when Bakugo was getting used to the rhythm, Tetsutetsu did something unexpected.

"Boom!"

This time, instead of throwing another punch or kick, Tetsutetsu stomped hard on the ground, sending a spray of loose cement rocks flying like shrapnel. The debris, remnants from Bakugo's earlier explosions, hurtled towards him with alarming speed.

Caught off guard, Bakugo couldn't dodge all of it. Several pieces of jagged cement struck him, causing him to stumble. The pain forced a groan from his lips, and his movements faltered.

"Gotcha!" Tetsutetsu growled, seizing his chance.

In one swift move, Tetsutetsu closed the distance, grabbed Bakugo, and used his judo training to lift him into the air. Without a moment's hesitation, he hurled Bakugo towards the edge of the arena, aiming to throw him out.

The battle had reached its peak.

"LET GO, YOU BASTARD!"

As Bakugo was airborne, he managed to free one arm. Summoning the last reserves of his strength, he fired off an explosion at Tetsutetsu's head.

"BOOM!"

Both fighters went crashing down, engulfed in a cloud of smoke and dust. The dull thud of a heavy impact followed, echoing across the silent stadium.

As the smoke cleared, everyone held their breath.

Tetsutetsu was standing.

Bakugo was sprawled on the ground… just outside the boundary line.

"Tetsutetsu wins by ring-out!"

Midnight, the referee, raised her voice to announce the result, flicking her whip dramatically as she declared, "Bakugo Katsuki is out! Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu advances to the finals!"

Tetsutetsu, still standing at the edge of the ring, looked down at Bakugo, who was glaring up at him with a mixture of anger and disbelief.

"Bakugo," Tetsutetsu said calmly, "I'm just following my own path… a promise I made to myself."

He then turned and looked up toward the Class 1-A section, where Kaminari was standing, a faint smile on his face.

"Kaminari… see you in the finals."

As Tetsutetsu walked away, the crowd finally erupted, cheering wildly. The entire stadium was electrified, stunned by the unexpected result.

"I never thought Bakugo would actually lose!!"

"Yeah, I thought he was a shoo-in for the finals! I mean, with his attitude and strength, he seemed unstoppable!"

"What's the name of that steel guy again? Tetsutetsu, right? Total dark horse!"

Meanwhile, in the Class 1-A stands, his classmates were equally shocked.

"I... I can't believe it…" Mineta stammered. "Bakugo actually lost?"

Ashido's mouth hung open. "Tetsutetsu… he just… he just became a total dark horse in this competition!"

Even Midoriya was struggling to process what he'd seen. "K-Kacchan… he… he lost… to Tetsutetsu?"

Todoroki, who'd been watching from the sidelines, narrowed his eyes. Even he hadn't expected Bakugo to lose.

But Kaminari wasn't particularly surprised. He'd seen something change in Tetsutetsu recently, a calm confidence and a determination that had taken his skills to another level.

Looks like Tetsutetsu's been holding back more than I thought, Kaminari thought, a faint smile crossing his lips. He began to piece together a theory, remembering a few hints he'd picked up on.

If he's mastered 'Shave,' then his combat style is on a different level now. An opponent who combines iron defense, raw strength, and speed? Yeah, that's gonna be tough.

He couldn't help but chuckle to himself, already thinking of ways he might have to adapt for their final showdown.

Chapter 109: Kyoka’s Thoughts

"By the way, it looks like the next match is between Kyoka and the leader from Class B!"

Momo used the break while Cementoss began repairing the stage again to lean over and whisper to Kaminari.

"If Kyoka advances, doesn't that mean she might have to face the winner of the first two rounds again in the semifinals?" Momo's tone was casual, but her expression was thoughtful.

Kaminari blinked, slightly surprised by the realization. His gaze drifted to the arena entrance where Kyoka had just gone down to prepare. He hadn't considered this possibility before.

"Hmm… If I end up beating Todoroki, there's definitely a chance I'd have to face Kyoka," he replied, a bit lost in thought.

"Hehehe," Momo leaned in, a mischievous smile on her face. "If that really happens, what would you do?"

Kaminari thought about it for a moment before replying with a grin, "I won't back down just because of that. I still have to try my best to win. I made a promise to go for first place, after all. It'd be embarrassing to fall short now."

Ashido, always ready to stir things up, leaned over with a mischievous look. "So… if it came down to it, would you be okay with 'domestic violence' on the field?"

Kaminari's face turned deadpan as he stared at her. Domestic violence? Really? He decided to ignore the term Ashido used and responded calmly, "I'll do everything I can to win, but I'll make sure not to hurt her."

"Kaminari," Tokoyami spoke up unexpectedly, his tone serious, "Don't underestimate Todoroki. He's not an opponent to take lightly."

Kaminari's gaze shifted to Todoroki, who stood leaning against the wall, watching the arena below. "Of course. I'll give it everything I've got against him."

As if sensing Kaminari's eyes on him, Todoroki glanced over. Their gazes met, a silent exchange sparking between them. Todoroki's icy blue eyes held a cool determination, while Kaminari's golden eyes shone with confidence.

The tension between them was palpable, even making the usually loud Ashido and Mineta quiet down for a moment.

But before the atmosphere could grow any more intense, Present Mic's enthusiastic voice blasted through the stadium, breaking the silence and filling the area with excitement.

The two broke eye contact, both shifting their attention to the field as the final match of the second round began.

"Thank you, Cementoss!"

"Now, let's get ready for the last match of the second round! From Class A, we have Kyoka Jiro, facing off against Class B's Kendo Itsuka!"

Present Mic's voice boomed through the stadium, setting the crowd on edge.

"And the winner will secure the last spot in the semifinals!"

As Mic hyped up the crowd, the four special-effect flamethrowers around the arena erupted, casting a blaze over the field.

"Begin!"

At the sound of the signal, Kyoka immediately went on the offensive, plugging her earlobe jacks into the ground in front of her. The floor shook with her signature move, cracks spreading toward Kendo with a rumbling sound.

While the spectators marveled at the scene, Cementoss sighed quietly to himself. What's with this year's class? So many Quirks focused on destruction… Hopefully, I have enough cement prepared for all this repair work.

Kendo, however, was prepared. The leader of Class B wasn't about to let herself be caught off guard. Just as the ground beneath her began to crack, she sprang into the air, using her Quirk to enlarge her hands.

"Boom!"

With her giant hands, Kendo swiped at the air, creating a powerful gust of wind that propelled her forward. The force of the wind sent her hurtling toward Kyoka like a missile.

"She can use her hands to fly?!" several spectators gasped in surprise.

Even some of the pro heroes in the audience looked impressed, noting Kendo's quick thinking and adaptability.

Kyoka narrowed her eyes, but she didn't panic. She extended her earlobes, aiming to intercept Kendo in midair.

But Kendo anticipated the move, and with a grin, she swung her enlarged hands again, generating another gust of wind that disrupted Kyoka's attack.

"Sorry, Kyoka! I saw that trick coming!" Kendo shouted confidently, her giant hand swooping in towards Kyoka.

Kyoka tried to dodge, but the gusts kept her off-balance, blowing her cables away before they could reach Kendo.

In that moment, as Kendo's massive fist closed in, Kyoka had a flicker of regret. She glanced up at the stands, almost as if searching for Kaminari among the crowd.

Sorry, Kaminari… looks like I couldn't make it to the semifinals like I planned…

In her mind, she'd hoped to advance to the next round, so that if she ended up facing Kaminari, she could throw the match and let him conserve his energy for the final.

But it seemed none of that would come to pass.

The fight ended quickly. Despite Kyoka's initial advantage, Kendo's improvisation and tactical thinking turned the tables. In a matter of moments, she had overpowered Kyoka, winning the match and securing her place in the semifinals.

The entire crowd, including Kaminari, Momo, Present Mic, and Aizawa, watched in surprise. On paper, Kyoka's Quirk seemed like it would be a perfect counter for Kendo's close-range style. But Kendo's clever use of wind to disrupt Kyoka's attacks had been unexpectedly effective.

"Looks like Class B isn't as weak as we thought…" Shoji muttered, watching as Kendo waved to the crowd with a bright smile.

Kaminari, who had been watching closely, nodded. "They're just as capable as we are. After all, they're Hero students too."

With that, he stood up, ready to make his way to the exit. He planned to check on Kyoka and offer her some encouragement… and then, it would be time for his own match.

Glancing over to where Todoroki had been leaning against the wall, he noticed the spot was now empty. He turned his gaze slightly to the side, spotting Endeavor standing tall, flames flickering around his body as he watched the arena with intense focus.

Kaminari's eyes narrowed slightly. He'd soon show Endeavor just how serious he was.

"I'll show you, Endeavor… my full power," he murmured to himself, clenching his fists.

But as Kaminari walked down the stands, Monoma Neito's voice rang out, filled with smug satisfaction.

"What's wrong, Class A? Weren't you supposed to be the better class? Losing to our class leader like that, even after 'fighting villains'? How embarrassing!"

Monoma had once again popped up over the wall, taunting them with his usual sneer. And this time, without Kendo to stop him, he was free to gloat as much as he wanted.

"Get lost!"

Bakugo, who was already simmering with anger from his own loss, stood up and glared at Monoma with a murderous expression, his voice a low growl.

"Unless you want me to blow you up right here, shut your mouth."

Monoma's eyes widened, and he quickly ducked down, silenced by Bakugo's intense glare. His entire body seemed to shiver under the weight of Bakugo's fury.

What a terrifying guy… Monoma thought, swallowing hard as he stayed out of sight.

Chapter 110: Kaminari’s Warning to Todoroki

The corridor was quiet and dim, with only the sterile glow of the lights overhead casting a pale hue over the empty space. Kyoka walked forward slowly, her footsteps echoing as her head hung low. Behind her, the muffled cheers from the stadium drifted down the hallway, but they only served to deepen the ache in her chest.

In that heavy silence, regret filled her thoughts.

If only… she thought to herself, if only I'd spent more time honing my Quirk instead of focusing just on music, maybe things would've been different today.

"Kyoka?"

A familiar voice cut through her thoughts, breaking the lonely rhythm of her footsteps. She looked up, surprised, only to see Kaminari standing there, a warm and reassuring smile on his face.

"Kaminari!" she exclaimed, her face brightening despite herself.

He walked up to her, his expression soft with concern. "You okay?"

The way he looked at her with such genuine care made the disappointment in her heart begin to melt away. It felt like that familiar jolt of electricity that he always carried with him had dispelled the lingering shadows in her mind.

"Let me tell you something, Kyoka," he said, his tone sincere. "Making it to the quarterfinals is a big deal. Think about how many people would've loved to get this far. Look at all the students who didn't even make it past the first round. You did great."

A small laugh escaped her. "You're really trying to make me feel better, huh?"

"Of course!" he grinned. "I'm serious, though. You don't need to feel disappointed. You were incredible out there."

Kyoka let out a soft sigh, her shoulders relaxing. "I know… It's not really about the tournament. I just… I guess I feel like I could've done more. Like, if I'd focused a little more on improving my Quirk, maybe I wouldn't have been beaten so easily."

"Hey," Kaminari said, stepping closer. Before she could react, he placed a gentle hand on top of her head, mussing up her purple hair ever so slightly. She blinked up at him, caught off guard by the unexpected gesture.

"Thank you, Kyoka," he said softly, his voice filled with gratitude. "You did more than enough. And… I promise, I'll do my best out there."

As he let his hand fall away, Kyoka found herself momentarily speechless, watching as he turned and continued down the hallway toward the stadium. His parting words lingered in the air.

"Stay up there and watch. I'll make you proud."

Once he was out of sight, she reached up, touching the spot where his hand had been. Her face turned slightly red, and a quiet, barely audible whisper slipped from her lips.

"...You're only a month older than me, you know. Who said I wanted you as my big brother…?"

---

Back in the arena, Kaminari emerged from the tunnel and was greeted by a blinding flood of light and the roaring cheers of the crowd. Across the field, Todoroki stepped forward, calm and composed as always, though his eyes held a certain intensity that hadn't been there in previous matches.

The atmosphere was electric—no pun intended. It felt like everyone in the stadium knew that this was the battle they had been waiting for.

"Todoroki and Kaminari on the field!" Present Mic's voice boomed over the speakers, barely managing to cut through the deafening roar of the audience. "This is it, folks! This match promises to be one for the ages!"

Present Mic was practically bouncing with excitement, and even the typically stoic Aizawa had leaned forward ever so slightly, his eyes fixed on the two students.

As the crowd settled, Kaminari took a few steps forward, meeting Todoroki's gaze. "So… your dad stopped by to talk to me before the match."

Todoroki's indifferent expression flickered, a slight scowl forming. "Endeavor?"

Kaminari nodded. "Yeah. Not to be blunt, but your dad's kind of… intense. He wanted me to make sure you use your full power."

Todoroki's face hardened. He already suspected what Endeavor had wanted, but hearing it confirmed from Kaminari only deepened the tension in his posture. "Did he offer you something? Money, maybe? Or some other incentive?"

"Nope." Kaminari shrugged. "But he did promise to let me punch him if I managed to push you into using your flames."

Todoroki's eyes narrowed, both puzzled and irritated. "A punch?"

"Yeah," Kaminari said with a grin. "Apparently, he thinks if I can force you to use your flames, that would be worth a punch to the face. And you know, the idea of decking the number two hero in Japan is pretty tempting."

A dry chuckle slipped from Kaminari's lips, but when he continued, his tone grew serious. "But this isn't just about my deal with your dad."

"Then what is it about?" Todoroki asked, his voice colder than the ice he wielded.

Kaminari's face darkened, his usually carefree eyes turning steely. "This isn't about your dad's deal. This is about you. If you hold back… if you refuse to use your full strength… then I'm going to make you regret it."

The threat was delivered quietly, but it carried an unmistakable weight, causing even Todoroki to stiffen slightly.

"I'm serious, Todoroki. If you don't come at me with everything you've got," Kaminari warned, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes, "then I'll beat you down right here, in front of everyone. So if you're going to be stubborn, then don't blame me for what happens next."

Todoroki's eyes flashed with a hint of conflict, his fingers clenching slightly. For a brief moment, he seemed almost uncertain. Then, he straightened, his gaze icy and resolute.

"My power isn't something for you or him to decide," he said coolly. "I know what I'm here to do."

Kaminari let out a soft sigh, his lips curving into a small, dangerous smile. "Fine. Just don't say I didn't warn you."

As Present Mic's voice called out for the start of the match, Kaminari took a stance, electricity crackling around him. He kept his eyes locked on Todoroki, a look of unwavering determination on his face.

And as the match began, Kaminari silently hoped that Todoroki would finally let go of the weight that held him back. Because if not… then Kaminari was fully prepared to knock it out of him.

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 111: Dance of Thunder and Ice

"Huff... Huff..."

In the dimly lit entranceway leading from the corridor to the interior of the auditorium, Iida was just about to step out to watch the intense clash between Kaminari and Todoroki. Suddenly, his body jolted in a strange, rapid shiver, almost like a spasm. Despite the odd sensation, he stayed calm and stopped just short of the brightly lit doorway, only a few steps away from the sunlight streaming through.

At that moment, he pulled a dark blue cellphone from his pocket—the brand was unrecognizable.

"Mom?"

Seeing the caller ID, Iida paused for a second, but quickly understood. His mother was likely calling to check on him.

"Hello? Mom? I... I lost. I'm sorry. I let everyone down, and I couldn't bring honor to the family..."

As soon as Iida admitted his defeat, his mother's voice on the other end interrupted him, filled with anxiety and worry.

"No, that's not why I'm calling!"

"Iida, you need to stay calm. Something... something has happened to your brother Tensei."

"W-what?!"

"Your brother was... was attacked by villains."

"?!"

"BOOM!"

Just as his mother finished speaking, the stadium shook violently, as if a sudden earthquake of magnitude six or seven had struck. A frigid blast of air swept through the entire auditorium. In the corridor, Iida found himself caught in a powerful, concentrated gust due to the standing waves created by the arena's structure.

His black hair and blue sports uniform flapped wildly in the icy wind, and the phone in his hand still transmitting his mother's frantic voice was blown from his grip.

"Iida?! Iida?! What's happening to you...?"

"...Another iceberg... Mom!!"

He looked up, wide-eyed, at the enormous iceberg now towering over the stadium, partially obscuring the sunlight. Snapping out of his daze, he quickly picked up his phone from the ground.

"Mom, you just said... what did you mean by villains attacking my brother?"

As his mother continued to speak, the corridor seemed to grow darker, contrasting with the blinding sunlight outside. On the field, half of Todoroki's side had turned into a frozen mountain, blocking the view of the spectators on the opposite side.

Todoroki, breathing out a frosty breath, surveyed the iceberg he had just created and muttered to himself, "How will you handle this without 'Thunder Aegis'?"

"Kaminari Denki… show me what you've got."

A thin layer of frost had formed on Todoroki's right cheek—evidence of the strain his abilities placed on his body.

"Kaminari!" In the Class A stands, Kyoka watched the massive iceberg with worry, while Tetsutetsu wore a serious expression.

"Without 'Thunder Aegis,' Kaminari might not be able to block this attack."

He considered his own chances against Todoroki's ice assault and realized he'd likely be forced off the field by sheer impact alone, even if his Quirk allowed him to avoid serious injury.

As the 120,000 spectators in the stadium, along with countless viewers nationwide and even overseas, held their breath waiting for the outcome, a voice suddenly echoed from above.

"Phew… close one. You've got a serious gift, Todoroki! Making an iceberg that big on a whim? That's just plain scary."

Heads snapped up as Kaminari's voice rang out. The golden aura surrounding his body glowed even more brightly against the icy landscape as he stood at the top of Todoroki's massive ice wall, looking down with a mischievous grin.

Kaminari's entire body crackled with golden electricity, illuminating him against the brilliant white of the ice.

"Not bad, right? I figured it out just in time. Turns out 'Static Grip' is pretty handy for climbing."

Instead of facing the full force of the iceberg head-on, Kaminari had avoided Todoroki's attack by circling around with his lightning speed, using high-voltage grips to scale the ice wall in an arc.

"Over there!" Up in the announcer's booth, Present Mic and Class 1-A's homeroom teacher, Aizawa, squinted up, trying to spot Kaminari. But the golden sunlight was too blinding, making it difficult to see anything on top of the icy mountain.

"Up above?!"

At the bottom, Todoroki shielded his eyes from the sun and squinted up at Kaminari's silhouette, trying to make out his figure. The sunlight was glaring, obscuring his vision.

A crackling sound, an electric buzzing quickly grew louder, coming closer by the second.

"This sound… it's so familiar!" Todoroki's instincts flared, his body tensing for battle. And then, he saw it.

A blinding golden light shot down the side of the iceberg with astonishing speed, shattering the icy surface beneath it like fragile glass.

"So fast!"

Todoroki's first reaction was to release a wave of freezing energy, forming an ice wall in front of him. But the wall barely lasted a second before it exploded under Kaminari's high-speed assault.

A streak of golden electricity tore through the ice with each hit, leaving a trail of shattered fragments in its wake. With every new barrier Todoroki created, Kaminari would break through almost instantly, filling the arena floor with shards of ice.

"This speed… it's incredible!"

Although Todoroki had witnessed Kaminari's abilities during the earlier races and his match against Iida, experiencing the lightning-fast assault firsthand was entirely different. Watching from a distance was nothing compared to being on the receiving end.

If it weren't for his rigorous training under Endeavor and his naturally calm demeanor, Todoroki might have already faltered. But even his defenses couldn't hold forever against such relentless attacks.

"Bzzz bzzz bzzz…"

The golden lightning—Kaminari—closed in, his dark blue pupils contracting into focused slits. In the blink of an eye, he shattered the last ice wall, appearing just a meter in front of Todoroki.

"Boom!"

A powerful kick connected with Todoroki's chin, sending him flying upwards into the air.

Chapter 112: Thunderbirds

The effects of Kaminari's high-voltage electricity were starting to take their toll on Todoroki. The searing pain and numbing paralysis threatened to overwhelm him, nearly breaking his focus and pushing him to the edge of consciousness.

But even in this desperate situation, Todoroki's determination held firm. He was a "genius," after all—gifted with abilities that set him apart from others, in every possible way.

With a surge of cold air, Todoroki pushed himself to the limit, letting the frost on his right side pour out without restraint, even if it meant risking frostbite.

Crack, crack, crack.

In an instant, under the extreme cold, his entire body was encased in ice. Despite being mid-air from Kaminari's earlier kick, Todoroki managed to react, forming a solid layer of ice around himself to brace for the impact.

Simultaneously, thin sheets of ice began to form in the air around him, attempting to slow Kaminari's relentless approach. But it was futile.

In his high-voltage mode, Kaminari's electricity generated intense heat, causing the ice and cold mist surrounding him to melt almost instantly as he drew closer.

Boom!

Crack!

Another powerful blow from Kaminari sent Todoroki flying even higher, a trail of white mist marking his trajectory. And within seconds, a streak of golden lightning shot up to follow him, moving several times faster than before.

On three sides of the stadium, the audience sat mesmerized, while those watching from home witnessed a spectacle that would be seared into their memories forever.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A series of thunderous impacts echoed through the arena as Kaminari continued his high-speed assault. From a distance, he looked like a golden blur, weaving through the sky and creating streaks of light that left afterimages in the air. Each time he struck, a blast of electric energy and a sharp crack of ice resounded, with Todoroki ricocheting through the sky like a battered ragdoll.

"This… this…" Kyoka muttered, staring up at the display in stunned silence. Her mind was blank, save for one overwhelming realization.

"This is Kaminari's power?"

All around her, the crowd remained in a state of awe, their eyes fixed on the battle above, unable to tear themselves away.

"Are they really just first-year students? Are they even students at all?"

"This level of combat… it's beyond most Pro Heroes!"

Even Present Mic, the usually energetic announcer, was at a loss for words, his eyes wide with disbelief as he watched the two figures collide in mid-air.

"How much longer can they keep this up?" he muttered to himself, though his voice was amplified by the speakers, making everyone in the arena hear his concern. "If this keeps going… Todoroki's going to reach his limit."

On the other side of the stadium, Endeavor's composure was starting to crack. Gone was his usual stoic stance, replaced with a tense posture as he watched his son, his face dark with concern.

"Hmph…"

The flames on Endeavor's body flickered more intensely, flaring up as if in reaction to the tension. Kaminari's earlier words echoed in his mind:

"You keep talking about Todoroki's 'full power,' but have you ever seen my full power?"

"With all due respect… if I went all-out, he'd be dead already."

For a brief moment, Endeavor found himself believing Kaminari's words.

Boom!

Wham!

Finally, the chain of strikes in the sky came to a dramatic end as Kaminari unleashed a particularly powerful blow. Todoroki was sent hurtling downward, the force breaking through the sound barrier and sending him plummeting like a falling meteor.

"Oh no!" Midnight gasped. "This is bad!"

As Midnight, Cementoss, and the other teachers prepared to intervene, Kaminari landed back on the tip of the iceberg he'd created earlier, his gaze cold and unwavering as he looked down at Todoroki's descending figure.

"Todoroki… you won't die from this, but if you hit the ground, you're definitely going to be hurt."

Just as Todoroki was about to crash into the ground, something changed. His falling figure started to glow with a faint red hue.

Wait… no. It wasn't just a glow. It was…

Boom!

A roaring pillar of fire erupted from Todoroki's body, engulfing the air around him and stopping his fall. The inferno expanded in all directions, so intense that anything that got close—including the teachers rushing to help was pushed back by the searing heat.

"Oh? So you're finally using your flames."

Kaminari stood at a height above the stadium, perched on the massive ice formation, watching as the blaze consumed the lower half of the arena.

"It looks like that promise you made to never use his fire means nothing when you're staring death in the face."

He emphasized the word "promise" with a mocking tone, then steadied himself, grasping his right wrist with his left hand, focusing energy into his palm.

"Well, if you're going all-out, then I suppose it's only fair I do the same."

His golden eyes narrowed, a sharp and deadly intensity in his gaze.

"I wasn't joking earlier. If you don't bring everything you have, I will knock you out."

*Bzzzzzzzzzzzt! Chirp-Chirp-Chirp*

On top of the iceberg electricity began to gather, crackling and snapping in Kaminari's hands. The sound echoed like thunder mixed with the sharp chirping of birds.

Below, deep in the sea of fire, Todoroki stood on scorched earth. His condition was rough, to say the least. His sports jacket was completely burned away, leaving only his pants intact, almost as if by some strange twist of fate.

His upper body was covered in burns and cuts, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. But even the blood evaporated almost instantly under the intense heat, leaving only a red smear as a reminder of his injuries.

"I… I almost died…"

Todoroki's eyes were wide, his heart racing as he recalled the terror he'd felt just moments ago. It was a fear he hadn't known before—a fear beyond anything he'd felt, even more agonizing than the memory of boiling water scalding him as a child. This time, it was real, visceral, a fear rooted in the prospect of death.

No matter how gifted he was, or how indifferent he tried to be, at his core, he was still a fifteen-year-old kid. And the reality of facing death shook him in a way he wasn't prepared for.

*Crackle, crackle.*

Just as he steadied himself, the familiar buzzing sound of electricity filled the air, drawing closer from above.

"That sound…"

Chapter 113: Seal Raikiri

As the high-pitched crackling of electricity filled the air, Midnight, who had been watching the battle intently, felt an uneasy prickle down her spine. This sound was sharper, more intense than before, almost like thousands of birds screeching in unison.

The memory of something she'd once seen and heard during a deep training exercise flashed through her mind, and an instinctive sense of danger welled up inside her.

"Stop! Kaminari, stop!!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the arena. Without hesitation, she tore the fabric from her arms, releasing her sleep-inducing pheromones, and directed the pink gas towards Kaminari.

But the intense heat radiating from the stadium floor prevented her quirk from reaching him, the gas evaporating before it could get close.

Meanwhile, Cementoss and Vlad had already moved to intercept. Even All Might on the teacher's bench and Endeavor in the stands looked tense, realizing the severity of Kaminari's next move.

"This attack... it could be dangerous!"

But Kaminari's speed in his high-voltage mode was no joke.

With his hand outstretched, holding a dense orb of dark-gold electricity, Kaminari launched himself off the top of the ice formation, tearing through the arena with blazing speed. Shards of ice shattered in his wake, leaving a trail of golden afterimages and fractured ice along his path.

CRACK!

Kaminari tore through the lingering flames and searing waves of heat, charging straight at Todoroki.

"Can't even stop it with fire?!"

Todoroki's eyes widened as the dark-gold glow grew larger in his vision. But he wasn't about to back down.

"So what!" he shouted defiantly, summoning twin streams of ice and fire from both sides of his body, the two elements surging forward in tandem.

In that instant, the arena was split into a world of fire and ice, Todoroki unleashing the full power of his Quirk, pushing beyond anything he'd done before. He was combining his flames and ice at once, pushing both sides to their limits.

The collision of superheated air with intense cold created a massive pressure wave, an explosive air burst that roared through the stadium.

BOOM!

Kaminari's golden pupils narrowed as the explosion and shockwave barreled toward him. "Let's finish this!"

With a fierce shout, he poured every ounce of electricity in his body into the energy ball in his right hand, even drawing power from the high-voltage field that protected him. His golden aura faded visibly, while the electricity in his hand intensified, forming a dark-gold spear of energy that extended from his fingertips.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

The arena was engulfed in blinding light as Kaminari's "Raikiri" met Todoroki's fire and ice head-on, creating a brilliant white flash. The sheer force of the impact unleashed a shockwave that obliterated the massive iceberg, scattering it into tiny shards that evaporated almost instantly in the extreme heat.

For what felt like an eternity, the light and noise were overwhelming, a deafening roar that rattled every corner of the stadium. The audience shielded their eyes, and an intense wind whipped across the arena, tearing through the stands with the force of a typhoon.

When the dust began to settle, and the harsh light finally dimmed, a heavy silence blanketed the stadium. Thick white mist filled the arena floor, obscuring everything from view. The audience held their breath, waiting for any sign of the two fighters.

Slowly, the white mist began to dissipate, swirling as if disturbed by a force within. As it cleared, the crowd squinted, trying to make out what had happened.

The first thing they noticed was that Midnight, who had been in the stands, was now plastered against the wall above the audience, clinging to it like a portrait in an awkward position.

And, pressed up against her… was a grinning Mineta, his nose bleeding profusely.

"Ah… I can die happy now…" Mineta sighed dreamily, reveling in his proximity to Midnight.

Midnight, clearly uncomfortable, pushed herself off the wall and grabbed Mineta by his collar, flinging him aside. Her face flushed, not from Mineta's antics, but from the embarrassment of being thrown into the wall in front of the entire stadium. She quickly tried to regain her composure as the mist continued to clear.

Finally, the field came into view. But instead of Todoroki or Kaminari, the first thing the audience noticed was All Might, standing firmly in the center of the field, gripping Kaminari's right wrist tightly. Kaminari's hand still crackled faintly with residual electricity.

And nearby, Endeavor lay in a crater against the stadium wall, looking somewhat battered, having apparently been flung there during the final clash.

"Kaminari… what was that move?"

All Might, towering over Kaminari, looked down with a serious expression. Held by cement restraints and a few blood ropes, Kaminari couldn't move. He met All Might's gaze and replied with a slight smirk.

"Raikiri…" He hesitated for a moment, then added quietly, "An upgraded version."

He'd considered calling it "Chidori" before, but somehow, the name "Raikiri" felt like a better fit for him.

"Raikiri…" All Might repeated the name to himself, committing it to memory. After a moment, his expression grew stern again.

"Kaminari, tell me honestly. Did you use this 'Raikiri' intending to kill Todoroki?"

Kaminari looked up, meeting All Might's gaze directly. A faint smile touched his lips as he spoke calmly.

"Look closely at where my hand was aimed. I didn't go for his vital points—I aimed for his right arm."

All Might glanced at Kaminari's right hand, still faintly glowing, and after a moment, nodded in agreement.

"You're right."

With All Might's grip holding him in place, there was no way Kaminari could have shifted his aim. Even Endeavor wouldn't have been able to change his trajectory in that situation.

Seeing Kaminari's measured expression, All Might's stance relaxed slightly.

"Kaminari, I have a request," All Might said, his voice carrying a weight of authority.

Kaminari sighed inwardly, thinking to himself, Do I even have a choice? He nodded.

"Go ahead."

All Might released Kaminari's wrist, still looking down at him with a serious expression.

"Kaminari, I want you to temporarily seal this 'Raikiri' technique. Don't use it on your classmates again. And even if you face villains in the future, use it only as a last resort."

"Understood."

Kaminari agreed without hesitation.

Chapter 114: Decision

"Teachers, can you let me go now?"

Kaminari asked, his voice tinged with a bit of frustration. Cementoss and Vlad exchanged glances before nodding in agreement, releasing their Quirks.

In truth, their intervention had been more of a precaution. If it hadn't been for All Might stepping in charging directly into the heart of the explosion to shield Todoroki from Kaminari's Raikiri things might have turned out very differently. All Might's decisive punch not only neutralized Kaminari's attack but also dispelled the fire pillar Endeavor had launched in retaliation. Without his intervention, there was a high chance that Todoroki would have been seriously hurt.

Then again, Cementoss couldn't help but think Endeavor had overstepped, too. Entering the arena from the stands and launching an attack on a student? It was technically a breach of the school rules, something that could even be viewed as villainous behavior.

"Endeavor, return to the stands!" All Might stepped forward, blocking Endeavor's path as he tried to approach his son. "Young Todoroki is fine."

Realizing his own overreaction, Endeavor's expression shifted slightly, though his gaze remained icy. He grunted, casting a long, hard look at Todoroki, then at Kaminari. With a final scoff, he turned to leave.

"Endeavor… sir?"

Just as he was about to walk away, Kaminari's voice cut through the tension.

"Hm?"

All Might, Cementoss, and the other teachers looked at Kaminari, surprised. After all, Kaminari had come close to injuring Endeavor's son—what more did he want to say?

Endeavor stopped, turning back to Kaminari with a cold, wordless glare.

"Nothing much," Kaminari replied, his earlier smile gone as he met Endeavor's gaze, his tone turning serious. "Just a reminder not to forget the deal we made."

"Deal?" All Might and the other teachers looked at each other in confusion, but Todoroki's face remained impassive.

Endeavor didn't show any reaction beyond a flat response. "I haven't forgotten. I'll be waiting."

With that, he turned and jumped back into the stands, leaving the stadium in full view of the 120,000 spectators. The crowd watched in silence as he strode out of the Hero Sports Hall, quickly disappearing from sight.

All Might raised an eyebrow, turning back to Kaminari. "Kaminari, what exactly is this deal between you and Endeavor?"

"It's nothing serious," Kaminari shrugged nonchalantly.

He chose to leave it at that, avoiding any public discussion of his issues with Endeavor. It felt too petty to air grievances openly, especially given the intensity of the battle they'd just had.

But deep down, Kaminari thought to himself, Sooner or later, Endeavor, I'm going to hit you back for everything you've done.

"Head referee, what's the status of this match? Did Kaminari Denki win?"

The stadium was still buzzing with confusion when Present Mic's voice broke the silence, asking the question that was on everyone's mind.

Midnight turned to Kaminari, a hint of uncertainty in her expression as she spoke. "Well… if we're judging purely by the battle's outcome, then yes, Kaminari would be the winner. But there are also competition rules that prohibit using excessive force or techniques that could be lethal."

She paused, glancing at All Might for confirmation. "If All Might hadn't intervened, Todoroki could have been seriously hurt, maybe even worse…"

All Might considered this, then nodded. "It's true. From the angle Kaminari attacked, he didn't aim for Todoroki's vital points—he was going for the shoulder. So it wasn't an intentional killing move. But given the power of that 'Raikiri' technique…"

All Might's gaze shifted to Todoroki, who stood nearby, still looking shaken from the encounter.

"If that attack had connected with Todoroki's shoulder, it could have caused serious injury, maybe even a permanent one."

"So, based on that…" Midnight nodded thoughtfully. "We should be cautious with this decision."

After a brief pause, she raised her voice to address the crowd. "For now, we'll hold off on officially declaring the winner. Let's proceed with the next two matches, and during that time, we'll carefully review the situation. We'll announce the result of this match after the next rounds are completed."

She knew Kaminari well enough, having trained alongside him in the mornings, and she wanted to ensure he was treated fairly. But as a pro hero and referee, she had to remain objective.

"Sounds good."

All Might nodded, showing his approval with a gentle smile before he turned to Kaminari.

"In that case, Kaminari, you should go rest. But regardless of what decision we reach, I hope you'll accept it with grace."

He placed a reassuring hand on Kaminari's shoulder. "Remember, having strength alone doesn't make you a great hero. You also need a strong heart, one that matches your power."

Kaminari nodded. "Understood."

Turning to Todoroki, he added quietly, "Sorry if I went too far and scared you."

Without waiting for a reply, Kaminari started walking toward the exit, but then he stopped, glancing back at Midnight with an awkward smile.

"Um… would it be okay to request a recharge? My electricity levels are running really low."

With his increased capacity to store up to three million volts, recharging at school saved him from facing a massive power bill at home.

Midnight chuckled and agreed. "Sure. We'll start drawing lots for the next match soon, so there's a chance you'll be fighting again. But remember, if the verdict goes against you, even if you win the next match, you'll be disqualified from advancing to the finals."

Kaminari shrugged. "Got it."

At this point, he knew there was no point in stressing over the outcome. Whatever happened, he'd deal with it. His thoughts drifted to Tetsutetsu, who he hoped to meet in the finals.

In the earlier rounds, Kaminari had sensed Tetsutetsu's determination and eagerness to challenge him. And as a friend, he wanted to honor that by facing him head-on.

After all, as heroes-in-training, wasn't it natural to respond to each other's fighting spirit?

Chapter 115: Tokoyami’s Weakness

"Kaminari…"

In the corridor, after recharging his electricity reserves, Kaminari made his way back to the auditorium to meet Kyoka and the others. On the way, he crossed paths with Tetsutetsu, who was heading toward the arena.

"Tetsutetsu…"

Kaminari offered a sheepish smile. "Sorry, but I might not make it to the finals."

"You'll make it. You will make it!" Tetsutetsu's tone was firm, even though both of them understood that the outcome was still uncertain.

"But if—just if—you don't, then I'll give Todoroki a proper beating in your place!" Tetsutetsu declared, his voice rising with conviction. "Because I don't accept it!"

Kaminari raised an eyebrow. "Don't accept what?"

"I don't accept him making it to the finals in this way!" Tetsutetsu said, locking eyes with Kaminari. His voice was loud and full of dissatisfaction.

For him, if Todoroki made it to the finals without having earned it fairly without truly fighting, it was nothing short of an insult to the competition.

"Heh, well, before you worry about Todoroki, maybe you should figure out how to beat Tokoyami first," Kaminari teased with a shrug, trying to lighten the mood.

Tetsutetsu chuckled but didn't deny it. Kaminari, however, seemed to slip into a thoughtful tone, analyzing the situation aloud.

"Tokoyami's strong, but… if you can figure out how to handle his 'Dark Shadow,' he's not that hard to beat," Kaminari said, his mind ticking through Tokoyami's strengths and weaknesses.

"Most of his power is tied to Dark Shadow, and while it's fast and strong, Tokoyami himself isn't as remarkable in other areas. If you can lure Dark Shadow far enough away from him, you could use that window to rush straight at Tokoyami with something like 'Shave.'"

Tetsutetsu smirked at Kaminari's familiar way of dissecting strategies. It reminded him of Midoriya.

"Yeah, well, about that… I'm still working on 'Shave.'" Tetsutetsu scratched his head sheepishly. "I only just figured out the right step frequency. I can't control the direction or distance properly yet."

"Ah…" Kaminari blinked, then let out a disappointed sigh. "That's a shame. I was kind of looking forward to seeing you teleport all over the field."

Tetsutetsu laughed at Kaminari's honesty. "Don't worry, though. Even without 'Shave,' I'll take down Tokoyami and make it to the finals!"

With a confident grin, Tetsutetsu patted his chest and walked past Kaminari toward the arena. Just before entering the corridor leading to the field, he paused without turning back.

"Whether you make it to the finals or not, Kaminari, I'll be waiting for you there."

Kaminari stood silently, watching his friend's retreating figure. In that moment, he felt a pang of gratitude for having such a determined and loyal partner.

---

On the other side, Tokoyami had already stepped onto the cement arena amidst cheers. He stood still, his sharp gaze fixed on the shadowy corridor where Tetsutetsu was emerging.

"Be ready for his strange tactics," Tokoyami thought to himself, steeling his resolve.

Tetsutetsu stepped into the light, his iron-hard stance exuding confidence. Kaminari, now seated among his classmates, glanced around, noticing that Todoroki was conspicuously absent from the crowd.

Meanwhile, on the Class B side, Monoma was unusually quiet. His typical sharp tongue was nowhere to be found as he observed Kaminari from a distance, his expression tinged with unease.

"Kendo, listen," Monoma said to the orange-haired girl beside him. "If Kaminari or Todoroki ends up being your opponent in the next match, my advice is simple: forfeit. There's no way we can compete with them."

But Kendo shook her head firmly. "I can't do that."

"Kendo—"

"I know they're both way stronger than me, and my odds of winning are basically zero," Kendou interrupted. "But backing down just because of that? That's not what a hero does."

Her voice was steady and filled with conviction. "Plus Ultra. Relentless progress, never-ending. Even if I lose, I'll at least land a punch before I go down!"

Monoma fell silent, though it was clear he didn't agree.

---

"Start!" Present Mic's energetic voice signaled the beginning of the match.

As soon as the game began, Tokoyami's Dark Shadow emerged, its massive form rushing toward Tetsutetsu.

Neither side wasted time exchanging words. Tetsutetsu charged straight in, meeting Dark Shadow's assault head-on. His first attack came in the form of a powerful kick, his steel-coated leg striking with tremendous force.

Boom!

The collision was explosive. Tetsutetsu's kick sent Dark Shadow reeling back, unable to withstand the sheer power of the blow.

"Don't fight him head-on! Go for aerial attacks—aim for his head!" Tokoyami called out, recalling Bakugo's strategy against Tetsutetsu earlier.

Dark Shadow quickly adjusted, flying high above Tetsutetsu and diving down toward his upper body.

But Tetsutetsu just smirked.

In the audience, a tall, muscular man with a stern expression—Tetsutetsu's mentor, Daimon Goro also allowed himself a small smile.

As Dark Shadow dove down, Tetsutetsu shifted his stance, adopting a judo posture that took everyone by surprise.

"You've been too focused on my legs," Tetsutetsu said. "Time for me to remind you what real grappling looks like!"

Before Dark Shadow could react, Tetsutetsu caught its arm and, with a powerful movement, slammed it into the ground.

"What?!" Tokoyami's eyes widened as he watched the normally indomitable Dark Shadow crumble under Tetsutetsu's technique.

"Attacking from above? That's a rookie mistake," Tetsutetsu said confidently. "I've been training with Daimon-sensei for years, he's over two meters tall. I've faced overhead attacks more times than I can count."

"And…" Tetsutetsu added, his grin widening, "I've figured out your weakness."

Before Dark Shadow could recover, Tetsutetsu unleashed another devastating kick, this time enhanced by his developing "Shave" technique.

Boom!

The blow sent Dark Shadow flying, its form dissolving into streaks of black light as it was forcibly pushed back toward Tokoyami.

"Move, partner!" Tokoyami shouted, leaping to the side to avoid being caught in the backlash.

But Tetsutetsu's voice cut through the air. "It's no use, Tokoyami. You and Dark Shadow are connected. You can't escape."

Boom!

A loud crash echoed as Tokoyami's expression shifted from calm to alarm.

"Not good!"

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 116: Kaminari’s Approval

No one expected the battle between Tokoyami and Tetsutetsu to end so quickly, especially the students in Class 1-A, who were more shocked than anyone else.

For months in their combat training sessions, Tokoyami's performance had consistently been top-tier—arguably second only to Kaminari, Todoroki, and Bakugo.

"That's the key…" Kaminari muttered, watching the replay of Tetsutetsu's victory with interest. "If you've got enough raw power to suppress Dark Shadow and send it flying, you can take them both down in one move."

He analyzed the fight quietly, but his focus shifted to Tetsutetsu himself. There was something different about him now, something that hadn't been there before.

"He's grown. He's learning to think more strategically, and his strength… it's improved a lot. He's putting in the work."

What Kaminari didn't know was that Tetsutetsu had taken inspiration from him. Watching Kaminari train relentlessly at the facility in Omiya Park had left a deep impression on him. Tetsutetsu had seen Kaminari think through problems, analyze strategies, and train until he was utterly exhausted. Over time, that influence had subtly rubbed off on him.

Kaminari's steady improvements had lit a fire in Tetsutetsu's heart, driving him to work harder. He was determined not to be left behind, not to lose the chance to stand beside Kaminari as an equal.

And so, his victory over Tokoyami made sense—it was the result of perseverance and grit. Hard work had paid off.

Of course, if the battle had been held at night, things might have gone differently.

"So Tetsutetsu's in the finals now," Ojiro said, his voice cutting through the lively chatter around them. "Now it's just a matter of whether Kaminari or Todoroki joins him."

"Yeah," Asui agreed, her fingers pressed to her lips in thought. "But I'm also curious to see who Kendo from Class B will face next."

"Tch," Bakugo grunted, sitting off to the side with an annoyed expression. Losing to Tetsutetsu earlier had left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"This whole festival is garbage… I just want it to be over already," he thought, glaring at the field.

On the stage, Midnight waved her whip dramatically, drawing everyone's attention.

"All right, folks! It's time for the next match! Let's see who will face Kendo Itsuka in the third round!"

The large screens flashed as the matchups were displayed.

"Kaminari Denki VS Kendou Itsuka!"

The result stunned the crowd. Even Kaminari blinked in surprise, momentarily speechless.

"Midnight-sensei… did you rig this?" Kaminari muttered under his breath, earning a few chuckles from his classmates.

---

Class 1-B's section:

"Kendo, are you really going to go through with this?" Monoma asked, his voice filled with genuine concern for once. The rest of Class 1-B also looked at Kendou with worry.

But Kendou only smiled, exuding her usual confidence. "Relax. All Might already sealed Kaminari's 'Raikiri' move, didn't he? My odds just improved, don't you think?"

With a wink, she turned and walked toward the corridor leading to the arena. But as she reached the entrance, she paused and glanced toward the opposite corridor, where Kaminari was preparing to enter.

Even from behind, his presence was unmistakable. Kendo clenched her fists and pressed her lips together, steeling herself.

"Even if I can't beat you, I'll give it everything I've got," she thought. "That's what a hero does… and maybe I can at least last a little while."

---

From the announcer's booth, Present Mic leaned back in his chair, turning to Aizawa with a bored sigh. "This one's gonna be pretty one-sided, don't you think, Eraser?"

Aizawa considered saying something like "Class 1-B's Kendo is strong too," but he knew it would ring hollow. Instead, he simply stayed quiet.

Mic shrugged, used to his old friend's bluntness. "I wonder what the higher-ups decided about Kaminari's last match. If they disqualify him, that'd be huge news…"

After a pause, Aizawa suddenly asked, "What would you do if you had to face Kaminari's 'Raikiri'? Could you block it?"

Mic froze for a moment, caught off guard. He imagined the scenario, comparing his own "Voice" to the sheer destructive power of Kaminari's attack.

"…Maybe," Mic said hesitantly. "If I went all-out, the shockwave from my voice might match the power of Todoroki's 'Ice and Fire Explosion.' But… I'm not sure."

Aizawa raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, he nodded toward the field. "They're coming out now."

Mic seized the chance to drop the subject, flipping his mic back on. "Ladies and gentlemen, the final match of the third round is about to begin! On one side, we have Class 1-A's Kaminari Denki, the 'Kid Lightning!' And on the other, Class 1-B's Kendou Kazuka, the fierce 'Big Sister' of her class!"

---

"Start!"

As soon as Midnight gave the signal, Kaminari disappeared.

In a blink, he transformed into a streak of golden light, vanishing from sight. Kendou barely had time to react before she felt a presence behind her, accompanied by a warm sensation on the back of her neck.

"Sorry," Kaminari said softly, his voice calm but firm. "I'm a bit tired, so I wanted to wrap this up quickly."

Kendo stood frozen, her mind racing. The gap between their abilities was even larger than she'd feared. Slowly, her shoulders slumped as she let out a long breath.

"So this is the difference…" she muttered. "Is it really this big?"

Behind her, Kaminari sighed. "If you're ready to surrender, I won't have to shock you. No need to make this harder than it has to be."

Kendo hesitated. She could hear the concern in Kaminari's voice, but…

"No," she said firmly, standing tall. "Heroes don't surrender. If you're going to beat me, do it properly."

Her defiance drew murmurs from the crowd, and her classmates shouted words of encouragement.

"Class Leader Kendo!!"

"She's so cool!"

Kaminari tilted his head, a faint smile on his face. "Got it."

Crackle!

A golden light flared around Kaminari, and Kendo let out a brief scream before collapsing to the ground, her body smoking slightly.

Kaminari knelt beside her fallen form, his expression serious. "I recognize your resolve," he said quietly.

Chapter 117: The Real Champion

While Kaminari was busy delivering the final blow to Kendo in front of a stunned audience, a private meeting was taking place elsewhere. Inside a conference room, All Might, Principal Nezu, and several other teachers, including Ectoplasm and Thirteen, had been discussing the verdict for Kaminari and Todoroki's match.

The final decision ultimately rested with Principal Nezu, who carefully reviewed the replay footage alongside All Might's input.

"Then it's settled," Principal Nezu said, swiveling in his chair to face the live feed of the festival. "The competition outside seems to be wrapping up. It's time to announce the result."

All Might hesitated, wanting to say something, but in the end, he let out a deep sigh, rose from his seat, and followed the other teachers out of the room. As he gently closed the door behind him, Principal Nezu murmured quietly to himself.

"Kaminari … Raikiri… I hope you don't lose your way."

The principal's small frame looked even smaller as he stared at the screen showing Kaminari's quiet figure on the field. He sighed again. "I wonder what kind of impact this judgment will have on you."

---

"What?!"

Back on the field, Midnight, who had just announced Kaminari's victory over Kendo, received the decision through her headset. Her expression shifted almost immediately, darkening in a way that surprised the audience.

She had anticipated the outcome, but now that it was official, a heavy sadness settled over her. Kaminari was one of her brightest students, someone who worked so hard and stood out in so many ways. But now…

"Why does it have to be like this?"

Taking a moment to compose herself, Midnight straightened her posture and returned to her role as the chief referee.

"Attention, everyone!" she called out, her voice cutting through the chatter of the crowd. "The verdict regarding Kaminari Denki and Shoto Todoroki's match has been finalized."

The stadium fell silent instantly. Even those who had been concerned about Kendou being carried off by the ambulance robot shifted their focus entirely to the announcement.

The Class 1-A and 1-B students all turned their eyes to Midnight, their faces tense. Among them, Tetsutetsu, Bakugo, Momo, and Kyoka watched with bated breath. Even Todoroki, who had quietly reappeared in the corner, looked up.

"Final verdict…" Midnight's voice rang out clearly. "It has been determined that Kaminari Denki used an excessive and highly dangerous move, Raikiri, during his match. This move nearly caused irreparable harm to Shoto Todoroki."

She paused briefly before delivering the final blow.

"Therefore, Kaminari Denki is disqualified for violating the rules. Shoto Todoroki will advance to the finals."

The crowd fell into a stunned silence. The energy of the Heroes Sports Festival seemed to freeze, leaving behind only a heavy tension in the air.

Kirishima clenched his fists. "What…? Kaminari… disqualified?"

"Kaminari…" Kyoka whispered, her hands trembling as she covered her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes, her disbelief etched onto her face.

Meanwhile, Kaminari's parents, sitting among the spectators, were equally devastated. His mother wept quietly, her heart aching for her son. His father, on the other hand, sat stiffly, his face pale and his expression unreadable, but his fury was evident in his clenched jaw.

"Damn it! This is wrong!"

Tetsutetsu stood abruptly, storming toward Todoroki with fire in his eyes. "I don't accept this! You lost, and everyone here knows it!"

Todoroki stared back at him, his face unreadable. After a long pause, he spoke quietly. "You're right. I lost. I don't need you to remind me."

With that, he walked past Tetsutetsu, his gaze unwavering despite the angry stares and murmurs from the audience. His demeanor was eerily reminiscent of Endeavor's earlier exit.

Then, to everyone's surprise, Todoroki stopped near the edge of the stage and addressed Midnight. His voice was soft, but the playback equipment ensured that everyone in the stadium heard him clearly.

"Teacher… I abstain."

Gasps rippled through the crowd as Todoroki turned and walked toward the corridor, disappearing into the shadows without another word. The light in the corridor seemed to dim as he left.

Midnight stood frozen, momentarily unsure of what to do. Todoroki had forfeited. Kaminari was disqualified. Kendo was unconscious. Tokoyami had already lost to Tetsutetsu.

"Who's left?!" Midnight thought, panic bubbling in her chest. "What kind of ending is this?!"

After a brief pause, she reluctantly reached for her headset. "What now?"

A heavy silence greeted her before the official response came.

"Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu takes first place. Tokoyami Fumikage is second. Kendo Itsuka is third. Announce it and move on to the awards ceremony."

Midnight's heart sank at the lackluster conclusion. "What a mess… this is going to be so anticlimactic."

Still, she had no choice. With a deep breath, she stepped forward and announced the results to the audience.

Predictably, the crowd erupted into boos and jeers.

"What kind of joke is this?!"

"Tetsutetsu didn't even fight in the finals!"

"Why disqualify Kaminari? Todoroki was fine, wasn't he?!"

"He was saved in time! And Kaminari agreed on not using Raikiri! This isn't fair!"

Even as the audience protested, the decision remained firm. Principal Nezu, watching from his office, sighed quietly. He, too, felt a pang of regret.

The boos carried on through the award ceremony, drowning out much of Midnight's commentary. The winners themselves looked more awkward than triumphant. Tokoyami and Tetsutetsu exchanged uncomfortable glances, while Kendo—still recovering from her match barely managed a polite smile.

Meanwhile, the reporters surrounding the stadium were practically vibrating with excitement. Cameras flashed, pens scribbled furiously, and headlines began forming in their minds.

"Raikiri Shocks the Heroes Sports Festival!"

"Who Is the Real Champion?"

But amidst the chaos, as the awards were being handed out, Tetsutetsu suddenly stepped forward. He puffed out his chest, raised his head, and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"First place… belongs to Kaminari Denki!"

His declaration echoed through the stadium, silencing the crowd for a brief moment.

Chapter 118: News About Combat Uniforms

The Heroes Sports Festival, which had been filled with energy, excitement, and tension all day, finally came to an end. But it didn't end triumphantly—instead, the conclusion was met with dissatisfaction, complaints, and boos from the audience.

While the spectators went home to stew over the results, the students returned to their classrooms to wrap up the day. Yet the atmosphere in Class 1-A was anything but celebratory.

Almost no one had a smile on their face, and the tension in the room was palpable. The focus of the uneasy atmosphere was undoubtedly Kaminari and Todoroki, though Tetsutetsu's visible frustration also added to the weight in the air.

Still, the awkward silence was a testament to how deeply this sports festival had affected everyone. It left an impression that none of them would soon forget, though the feelings it stirred were far from pleasant.

The sound of the classroom door sliding open broke the silence. In walked their homeroom teacher, Aizawa, his head still wrapped in bandages. His somber presence only seemed to make the mood heavier, given that he was also seen as part of the authority at U.A.

"Do you think Kaminari's punishment was unfair?" Aizawa asked softly, glancing around the room as he stood at the podium.

The room remained silent. But the expressions on most students' faces made it clear—they felt it was unfair.

"The punishment was correct," Aizawa continued firmly. "Kaminari's 'Raikiri' is indeed a move that goes beyond the limits expected of a fifteen-year-old student."

"And if All Might hadn't intervened…" His sharp eyes flickered to Todoroki, sitting quietly in the back row. "The damage to Todoroki could have been irreversible. Do you disagree?"

"No, I agree." Todoroki nodded without hesitation, his expression neutral but his tone resolute. As someone who had been on the receiving end of Raikiri, he fully understood the danger it posed. The threat he'd felt in that moment was real.

Kaminari, sitting nearby, listened to Aizawa's reasoning and Todoroki's agreement without reacting much. Deep down, he understood why the heroes had taken Raikiri so seriously.

It wasn't just the move itself, it was about the context of the world they lived in.

The world he now inhabited, despite having villains and conflicts, was largely peaceful. There was structure, there were rules, and there was accountability. It wasn't like the Naruto world, where Raikiri had been forged, a world plagued by constant wars and killing, where survival often meant resorting to lethal techniques.

Raikiri wasn't meant for rescue or capture. It wasn't a defensive technique. It was, at its core, a killing move, designed for combat in a much harsher, more dangerous environment.

Here, in a society that valued life and restraint, it made sense why Raikiri would be viewed as a move that crossed a line. To many heroes, it likely seemed like something only villains would develop.

Principal Nezu's decision to punish Kaminari hadn't been made lightly. It was meant to be a wake-up call, a reminder to Kaminari to tread carefully moving forward.

These thoughts ran through Kaminari's mind as Aizawa addressed the class. When Aizawa's gaze landed on him, asking a silent question, Kaminari nodded.

What else could he do?

The decision had been made, and dwelling on it wouldn't change anything. Complaining wouldn't help. It was better to accept the judgment and move on.

As for sealing Raikiri… Kaminari understood the reasoning. He could agree to not use it on his classmates, but if a situation arose where his life was on the line, if he were facing villains—he wouldn't hesitate. Rules or no rules, survival came first.

"Alright," Aizawa said, nodding in approval. "Since both parties involved agree, we'll leave this topic behind. Let's move on."

The class listened intently as Aizawa continued, his tone calm and direct.

"First of all, good work today. You all performed admirably during the sports festival."

"As a reward, the school has decided to give you a short break. Tomorrow and the day after are official holidays. During this time, recruitment offers from professional heroes will start coming in. After the break, we'll sort through the offers and announce them. Until then, enjoy your time off."

With that, Aizawa turned and walked out of the classroom, leaving the students to process everything he'd said.

---

As soon as Aizawa was gone, a collective sigh of relief swept through the room. Ashido, Mineta, Midoriya, and others visibly relaxed, their shoulders dropping.

"That was… intense," Ashido murmured.

"Kaminari," Momo called out, standing up from her seat. "Are you coming over to my house today?"

"Not today." Kaminari shook his head, offering a small smile. "I think my parents were pretty shaken by everything that happened. I should spend some time with them."

He glanced at Tetsutetsu, noticing the gold medal sitting on his desk. Without dwelling on it, Kaminari turned back to Momo. "What about you, Tetsutetsu? Are you heading to the judo gym later?"

Tetsutetsu hesitated, his frustration still simmering beneath the surface. But Kaminari's calm demeanor seemed to ease his nerves.

"I was planning to," Tetsutetsu admitted. "But after what you said, I think I'll head home instead."

"Great, let's walk together," Kaminari said with a grin.

As the class started to file out, Kaminari turned to Kyoka, who had been quietly standing nearby.

"Kyoka," he said, "if you're free the day after tomorrow, let's meet in the studio. We should take advantage of the sports festival buzz and drop a new single."

Kyoka's eyes lit up, her earlier sadness momentarily forgotten. "You've got a new song?"

"Yep," Kaminari replied. "Today's experience gave me some inspiration."

He thought to himself that now was the perfect time to release a song. He hadn't checked the internet yet, but he could already imagine his name trending across Japan. By tomorrow, when the newspapers hit the stands, his notoriety would likely skyrocket.

Kaminari, Momo, Tetsutetsu, and Kyoka left the classroom together. As they approached the school gate, Kaminari's phone buzzed in his pocket, his ringtone "Only My Railgun" breaking the silence.

"You guys go ahead—I'll catch up," Kaminari said, stepping aside to answer the call.

"Hello?"

"Hello! Is this Mr. Kaminari Denki?"

"Yeah, speaking. Who's this?"

"This is a representative from the support equipment development division under the Mitsui Group. I'm calling to let you know that your combat uniform is nearly complete!"

Kaminari's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"Yes. We'd like you to come in for a fitting to finalize the design. If you have any additional feedback, we can make adjustments on the spot. When would be a good time for you to visit?"

Kaminari hesitated. "Uh… where are you located?"

The representative gave him the address, and Kaminari realized it was a bit far from his home in Saitama City.

"Hmm… I'm a bit tied up right now," Kaminari said thoughtfully. "Can I contact you in a few days to schedule something?"

"Of course. Just let us know when you're ready."

"Thanks. I'll be in touch soon."

Chapter 119: Popularity Explodes

"Who was that on the phone, Kaminari?"

Tetsutetsu asked curiously as he and Kaminari walked side by side toward the subway station. While asking about phone calls might be considered rude in Japanese culture, it all depended on the closeness of the relationship.

"It was about my combat uniform," Kaminari replied casually. "It's my new one. They want me to try it out soon."

Then, as if suddenly struck by an idea, Kaminari grinned. "You know, if the combat uniform they've made for me turns out great, I'll have the same company—Mitsui—design yours. They're a big name, so the quality will definitely be top-notch."

"Deal!" Tetsutetsu said immediately, without a hint of hesitation. "I'm counting on you, though! It's gotta be military-style and make me look cool."

"Don't worry," Kaminari said with confidence, patting his chest. "I'll make sure it's everything you want and more!"

But as the two approached the subway station entrance, they noticed an unusual commotion around them. At first, it was faint whispers, but it quickly grew louder and more chaotic.

"Hey, isn't that Kaminari Denki and Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu?!"

"It is! I can't believe I just saw them on TV, and now they're here in person!"

"Wow, it's so surreal seeing the real number one and the real strongest person walking together!"

"What's the big deal?" someone chimed in. "Didn't you hear Tetsutetsu's shout at the end of the sports festival? They're clearly good friends!"

The murmurs turned to excitement, and then came a sudden, high-pitched scream.

"It's Kaminari Denki!!!"

"Ahhh! He's so handsome!"

"No way—am I actually seeing Kaminari in person?!"

Within seconds, a group of middle school girls wearing uniforms came rushing toward them, their faces alight with excitement. They surrounded Kaminari in an instant, effectively pushing Tetsutetsu to the side without a second thought.

And that was just the beginning. As it was the end of the school day, more students—elementary, middle, and high school alike—poured into the station. The crowd quickly grew, with more and more girls flocking toward Kaminari, their voices merging into an overwhelming chorus.

"Denki! Denki! Where's your Pikachu?!"

"Yeah, bring out Pikachu!"

"Is it in a Poké Ball? But Pikachu hates those, doesn't it?!"

The entire subway station was soon packed with a swarm of students, all clamoring for a chance to talk to Kaminari.

Kaminari, on the other hand, couldn't move at all. No matter how hard he tried to step forward, the crowd was so dense that he was completely stuck in place.

The scene wasn't just inconvenient, it was causing problems for the other subway-goers. Calls were quickly made to the local police, and within minutes, two patrol cars pulled up outside.

But when the officers arrived and saw the mob of kids swarming the station, they were momentarily stunned.

"Is this some kind of celebrity meet-and-greet?" one officer muttered, bewildered.

"We need to disperse them fast," another said grimly. "If something happens, it could turn into a disaster."

Using megaphones, the police began urging the students to leave, but their voices barely reached the outer edges of the crowd. The noise from the excited children drowned out everything else, and the officers could do little more than contain the chaos.

Not long after, professional heroes arrived on the scene to help. Among them was Kamui, his distinct wooden mask making him easily recognizable.

"What do we do, senior?" asked Mount Lady, who had followed Kamui to the scene. She seemed slightly panicked by the size of the crowd.

"We need to find the center of the commotion and pull them out. That should calm things down," Kamui replied, leaping onto a nearby streetlamp with his wooden arms.

From his vantage point, it didn't take long to spot Kaminari in the heart of the crowd.

"It's him… Well, no wonder," Kamui muttered.

As he prepared to use his wooden branches to extract Kaminari, a sudden burst of music interrupted him.

The music blasted at maximum volume, cutting through the cacophony like a sharp blade. The crowd, initially buzzing with excitement, began to quiet down, their voices lowering to a murmur as they turned to look at Kaminari.

He was holding up his phone, the source of the loud music.

Once he was sure he had everyone's attention, Kaminari stopped the music, flashed a bright smile, and called out loudly, "Hi, everyone! Yep, it's really me—Kaminari Denki!"

"Thanks so much for liking me and supporting me. I'm honestly so grateful!" he continued, his tone warm and sincere.

"But, uh… I'm super tired and hungry after today's festival. So, while I'd love to sign autographs and take pictures, I really need to get home. You're welcome to snap photos from where you are, but can you please clear a path for us?"

The students exchanged glances, and then, after a brief pause, began to laugh.

"He's so cute!"

"Yeah, Kaminari is adorable—even when he's desperate!"

"He actually used music to calm us down! I like him even more now!"

Although some were disappointed, the crowd eventually began carving out a narrow path for Kaminari and Tetsutetsu to walk through.

As they reached the entrance to the subway station, Kaminari turned back, smiling again.

"Oh, by the way," he said, his voice loud enough to carry to the back of the crowd, "the Pikachu Band will be recording a new song the day after tomorrow. It'll drop on MTV this Sunday—don't forget to check it out!"

The cheers that followed were almost deafening, but Kaminari didn't linger to soak it in. He quickly headed down the stairs with Tetsutetsu at his side, leaving the excited students behind.

---

Once inside the subway car, Kaminari and Tetsutetsu finally had a moment to breathe.

"You're seriously something else," Tetsutetsu muttered, shaking his head. "What are you gonna do if this keeps happening?"

Kaminari chuckled, leaning back in his seat. "Eh, I'll take it as it comes. If anything, it just shows how much people like me, right?"

Tetsutetsu sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I guess… but man, being surrounded like that would drive me nuts. I don't know how you deal with it so easily."

"Well, that's something you'll need to work on," Kaminari said seriously. "Pro heroes are public figures, too. If you want to be someone admired like All Might, you've got to get used to the attention."

Tetsutetsu raised an eyebrow, smirking slightly. "You're probably right… but sometimes it feels like you're just trying to convince me to suffer along with you."

Chapter 120: Prepare To Develop New Strategies

As soon as Kaminari stepped through the front door of his home, he was greeted by the warm and familiar aroma of his mother's secret miso soup. The comforting scent instantly melted away the tension in his body and mind.

"My son is home!"

His father, seated in the living room, was the first to notice him. At his call, Kaminari's mother quickly emerged from the kitchen, her face lighting up with joy.

"Dear son!"

Before Kaminari could respond, his mother was already fussing over him, checking his arms and face as though she expected to find hidden injuries.

"Are you okay? Did you get hurt anywhere? Let me see!"

"Mom, I'm fine!" Kaminari assured her with a laugh, raising his hands in surrender. "I didn't get hurt at all, and even if I did, we have Recovery Girl at school. There's nothing to worry about!"

Though his words were meant to reassure her, Kaminari didn't mind the attention. In fact, he welcomed it. Having grown up as an orphan in his previous life, moments like this being doted on by a loving parent were something he'd dreamed of for years.

"Come, son!" his mother said, taking his arm and pulling him toward the kitchen. "I bought a whole chicken on the way home and stewed it for hours. You need to replenish your energy after such a long day!"

"Wow, chicken soup!" Kaminari exclaimed, his eyes lighting up.

"Here, drink it while it's still warm," his mother urged, placing a bowl in front of him. "You must have used up so much energy at the festival today."

As she hovered over him, her concern was evident in every movement. She had been at the festival in person and had watched Kaminari's disqualification unfold. To see her hardworking, kind son treated this way, it had been heartbreaking for her.

Still, she said nothing about it at the dinner table. She wanted to move on, for Kaminari's sake. So, the topic was avoided entirely, and the family instead enjoyed the steaming chicken soup and tender meat together.

They talked about other things instead. Kaminari mentioned the new song he'd be recording with Kyoka in a few days and his plans to create special merchandise for Momo.

His father nodded approvingly. "The recording studio is always open to you and your band. Let me know if you need anything else for the song."

As for the merchandise, his father didn't seem fazed. "I'll make a few calls to the company later. It shouldn't be a problem. Considering it's for Yaoyorozu's family, we'll make sure it's perfect."

"By the way, I've got some news for you too," his father added, wiping his hands with a napkin after finishing his meal. "Your Twitter account just passed 300,000 followers—and it's climbing fast!"

"Twitter?" Kaminari blinked, confused. "I don't remember making an account. Aren't I just using MTV Japan's platform for updates?"

"I set it up for you a while back," his father explained. "MTV is a music site, not a social network. I figured it'd be good for you to have a proper account, so I hired someone to manage it for you."

"Well… thanks, I guess," Kaminari said, scratching the back of his head. It wasn't something he'd thought much about, but it made sense.

After dinner, Kaminari's father sent him the account credentials. Meanwhile, Kaminari's mother happily cleared the table, pleased to see her son eat so well.

Kaminari, for his part, headed to his room. After a quick shower and a change of clothes, he logged onto Twitter to check things out for himself.

As expected, the follower count was impressive, sitting just shy of 300,000. The comments section was overflowing, mostly with messages of support for Kaminari after the festival.

Curious, he scrolled through the top comments with the most likes:

A Veteran of Corgi: "The real winner of this year's U.A. Sports Festival is Kaminari Denki! I'm holding back my frustration!" – 41,000 likes

Mr. Okarun: "The first-ever contestant to be disqualified for being too strong. Is this for real?" – 16,000 likes

Snow Peas Invited by the Monkey: "+1 to the above comments, but I just want to say the 'Brave Heart' song at the opening ceremony was amazing!" – 13,000 likes

Mechanical Knife: "But I need to know—what's the deal between Kaminari and Jiro? Any thoughts?" – 5,888 likes

Kaminari chuckled at the variety of responses. Most of the comments were positive, and even the few odd ones weren't too bad.

Deciding to post something himself, Kaminari typed out his first tweet:

"Hi everyone, it's Kaminari Denki here! Sorry for the delay in saying hello—I only just found out about this account. Thanks so much for your support and love. I've got some exciting news: my new single 'Blue Bird' will be out next Monday on MTV Japan. Hope you'll check it out!"

Satisfied, he shut off the computer and climbed into bed.

---

Despite how exhausted he was, Kaminari's internal clock woke him up before five in the morning, as always.

He stared at the ceiling for a moment, his mind wandering. Memories from his past life and this one flashed before him in a quiet montage.

For the first time, he realized just how much he'd changed since his rebirth. His days were filled with studying, training, and chasing goals he never would've dreamed of in his previous life.

"I'm… not the same person anymore," he thought, a strange mix of emotions washing over him.

An image came to mind: the old man who had changed his life. Kaminari could still see his kind smile and the wrinkles etched across his face. "Who are you?" he wondered.

"Pika pika pikachu! Pika pika pikachu!!"

His thoughts were interrupted by the cheerful sound of his Pikachu alarm clock. It had been a while since he'd actually heard it—he was usually up before it went off.

"Time to get moving," he muttered, taking a deep breath before swinging his legs over the side of the bed.

Today, he'd head to Omiya Park to start working on some of the ideas he'd come up with during the sports festival.

As Kaminari opened the curtains, the morning sunlight spilled into his room, warm and welcoming.

"I need to develop a way to attack from long range without relying on external objects," he murmured to himself, determination hardening in his chest.

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 121: Multiple Electromagnetic Guns!

At 5:30 in the morning, the crisp chill of dawn lingered in the air.

Kaminari arrived at Omiya Park once again, his usual training ground. However, it was rare for him not to run into Midnight. She was always earlier than him, but today she was nowhere to be seen.

Thankfully, he hadn't come here for a morning jog this time. Instead, he headed straight to his "secret base."

The place remained unchanged. A small open clearing surrounded by cracked mounds, a sun umbrella shading a makeshift plastic table and chairs, and a Pikachu alarm clock sitting nearby, it all looked just as it did yesterday.

"Alright," Kaminari muttered as he stood in the center of the clearing, taking a deep breath of the fresh jungle air. The coolness washed away the last remnants of his drowsiness.

"God Speed, activate!"

As he murmured those words, a faint crackling sound echoed through the clearing. It wasn't loud, and the occasional chirping of distant birds was much more noticeable.

"Good, let's warm up first."

Kaminari used his "God Speed" technique to let the electric current stimulate his muscles, essentially massaging his body into readiness.

This method of warming up was undoubtedly more efficient than jogging, and Kaminari couldn't help but appreciate the convenience it provided.

"Now, let's figure out what to focus on today," he thought, standing still as the gentle currents worked through his body.

The first step was recalling the shortcomings from yesterday's events.

"During the obstacle course, I was at a disadvantage because I couldn't fly. The second and third sections really slowed me down. Compared to someone like Bakugo, I was stuck dealing with more obstacles than necessary," Kaminari mused, narrowing his eyes.

"Learning how to fly stably has to be one of my priorities moving forward."

But he shook his head and refocused. "No... what's even more important is how reliant I am on external objects. That's a huge problem. It held me back in the cavalry battle and during the one-on-one matches. I need to fix that first."

Pulling a coin from his pocket, Kaminari studied it closely, lost in thought.

"Electromagnetic guns will always require a physical carrier. That's just the nature of the technique—after all, even Misaka Mikoto couldn't bypass this limitation..."

His gaze sharpened. "But... what if I didn't need to use my hands?"

He began thinking through the mechanics. "The principle behind the railgun isn't that complicated. By forming a spiral arc of electricity around my arm, I generate a magnetic field. That field becomes the electromagnetic track, and then I use a high-voltage shock to launch the projectile."

"But what if I could create that magnetic field in mid-air, controlling the coin with electromagnetic force before firing it?"

To test his idea, Kaminari flicked the coin into the air. A faint current from his "high-speed movement" state surrounded it, wrapping the coin in golden electricity.

"Bzzzzz..."

The coin hovered in mid-air, held steady under Kaminari's control. The electromagnetic force linking it to his palm was visible, a subtle golden thread of energy.

"Controlling the coin isn't hard," Kaminari muttered, his focus sharpening. "The tricky part is creating a magnetic field around it without direct contact."

He increased the intensity of the current in his arm, and a linear burst of electricity surged toward the coin. Sparks danced as the electric field around the coin expanded, forming a glowing golden ring coil in the air.

"Crack!"

The next moment, the coin disappeared in a flash of light.

"Boom!"

In the blink of an eye, the coin shot forward like a beam of golden energy, piercing through the mound in front of him. A clean, circular hole smoldered in its wake.

Kaminari blinked in surprise, staring at his raised hand.

"Wait... Did that actually work?" he asked himself, astonished. "It didn't even feel that difficult. I just needed to focus a bit more, definitely easier than firing it with my hands, where it's all instinct at this point."

He paused as realization dawned.

"Ah, of course... It's all about familiarity. I've practiced the hand-fired railgun so many times that it's basically muscle memory now. No wonder this feels so different."

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "If I can launch a railgun like this, then I won't have to limit myself to just one at a time because of my hands."

His eyes gleamed with excitement as he pulled out two more coins from his pocket. Flicking them into the air, he began to replicate the process, controlling them with electromagnetic currents.

"If this works, then the railgun moves from being a single-target attack to a multi-target technique," Kaminari thought, his mind racing with possibilities.

He imagined a scenario where he was surrounded by enemies. If he could launch dozens of coins into the air and fire them all simultaneously, he could bombard every direction at once.

Or, against a stronger opponent, he could focus all his attacks on a single target, unleashing three, four, or even ten railguns in rapid succession. With that level of concentrated firepower, even someone as elusive as Shigaraki wouldn't be able to escape.

"Let's see you dodge when the sky is raining electromagnetic projectiles," Kaminari murmured, his smile widening at the thought.

"Bzzzzzz... Crack!"

Another golden beam of energy shot out, puncturing another mound with precision. But Kaminari frowned—this time, the second coin fell to the ground, untouched.

"Dang it," he muttered, bending down to pick up the coin. He studied it thoughtfully, replaying the moment in his head.

"As I expected... controlling multiple projectiles is tough. Trying to balance two railguns at once is like trying to focus on two completely different tasks at the same time."

Still, there was no frustration in his tone only determination.

"But if it's possible, that's all that matters," he said firmly. "A problem that can be solved with training is no problem at all."

His confidence flared as he pocketed the coins. "I've already made progress with Raikiri. Compared to that, mastering 'Multiple Railguns' is just a matter of effort."

Even so, Kaminari shifted his focus. For now, electromagnetic attacks requiring external objects weren't his top priority.

"What I really need is a move that uses pure electricity, a ranged attack that doesn't rely on anything else," he thought.

Raising his right arm, he aimed his palm toward the battered mound in front of him, now riddled with holes.

"Let's see where my limits are."

"Crack!!"

Chapter 122: Mouth Cannon

In the next moment, a strong golden light burst forth, accompanied by a dangerous electric current emanating from Kaminari's palm. The intensity this time was far greater than anything he had achieved before.

A sphere of electrical energy began to take shape in the center of his right hand, gradually stabilizing as Kaminari prepared to test its potential range.

At first, even achieving this level of external shaping was beyond his reach. All he could do was unleash an unrestrained current, letting it wreak havoc without control.

"Boom!!"

A muffled sound echoed as the glowing ball of electricity launched from his palm. However, it disintegrated after traveling just two meters and exploded three meters away.

"Two meters... Is that really the limit of my control?" Kaminari muttered to himself, narrowing his eyes. "Once it gets beyond two meters, I lose all control. The farthest I can shoot it is three meters..."

The field around him fell silent, save for the rustling of leaves in the wind and the occasional chirping of birds in the distance. Kaminari closed his eyes, deep in thought.

"What I need now is a reliable long-range attack that doesn't require any external tools. If I can gather my electrical energy and release it in a focused way, that might work."

He continued reflecting, his golden eyes snapping open with clarity.

"The range is the priority here, not necessarily increasing my control distance. Two meters is manageable for control. But to really unleash its potential, I need to push the shooting range farther..."

With that thought, an idea struck him. His eyes lit up as he envisioned a new method to extend his attack's reach. However, he needed to test it first.

Without hesitation, Kaminari took a deep, exaggerated breath, his chest expanding as if he wanted to inhale all the air around him.

From the outside, there were no flashy electric effects—his body looked perfectly calm. But if someone with a Quirk that granted enhanced perception were observing, they would see the electrical energy in Kaminari's body gathering in his lungs, glowing brighter and brighter with every second.

"Bah, bah, bah—"

Small arcs of golden electricity began crackling in his open mouth. The next moment, he exhaled forcefully, and a concentrated golden stream of energy shot out!

"BOOOOOOOH!!!"

"BOOM!"

The attack collided with a mound of dirt in the distance, shattering it in a blaze of golden light. As the dust settled, Kaminari, panting slightly, stared at the scorched ground with a mixture of surprise and satisfaction.

"It worked!" His excitement was unmistakable.

Since it was difficult to control electricity outside his body over long distances, the solution seemed simple, why not condense the electrical energy internally and release it outward in one concentrated breath?

It was a rough idea he'd thought about before, but now it was clear: it was entirely feasible.

"Hah... So this is why so many people use 'mouth cannon' techniques." Kaminari let out a dry laugh, though it seemed directed more at himself than anything else.

Of course, the "people" he referred to weren't ordinary individuals; they were clearly not of this world.

"It turns out that this might actually be the simplest way to release energy. Maybe it's even the most basic method of 'energy release' itself," he mused, staring at the blackened ground where his attack had landed.

However, as pleased as he was with the results, Kaminari also recognized the limitations of this move.

"The range is only about seven or eight meters," he muttered to himself.

That was after exhaling with all his might, which left him completely out of breath. If this were a real fight, there was no way he could afford to push himself that hard without leaving an opening. Realistically, he estimated the effective range of the attack would be closer to five meters.

"Not good enough..." Kaminari clenched his fists.

"The issue lies in lung capacity," he realized. "If I remember correctly, lung capacity is influenced by factors like age, body size, respiratory muscle strength, and the elasticity of the lungs and chest."

"In other words, if I can strengthen my physical fitness, I can improve my lung capacity. And if my lung capacity increases... then the range of this 'mouth cannon' will naturally improve as well!"

A faint smile formed on his lips.

"Alright, let's give this another shot. God Speed, activate!"

Golden electricity surged around him as he entered a heightened state, boosting his physical abilities.

"Here we go!" Kaminari prepared to test the move again, taking a deep breath to maximize the energy buildup—

"Kaminari, you're here too? That's perfect!"

A voice suddenly interrupted him, followed by the appearance of a white-haired figure emerging from a nearby bush.

"Eh? Tetsutetsu?" Kaminari stopped mid-breath and turned to see his classmate, looking mildly surprised. "What are you doing out here?"

Tetsutetsu grinned. "Hey, I've been up early for months now. How else do you think I've been working on my 'Shave' technique?"

He patted his chest proudly. "School during the day, judo practice in the evenings, and early mornings are for training 'Shave.' That's my routine."

It was a busy schedule, no doubt, but it seemed to suit Tetsutetsu's hardworking nature.

"And you?" Tetsutetsu asked, glancing curiously at the scorched ground and the charred mounds nearby. "What have you been up to? Practicing 'Raikiri' again?"

"Nope," Kaminari replied with a small grin. "Not quite. I've been experimenting with something new."

Tetsutetsu raised an eyebrow in curiosity, and Kaminari made a suggestion.

"Since you're here, why don't we practice together? I'll attack you with my new move, and you can use 'Shave' to dodge. Sound good?"

"That sounds awesome!" Tetsutetsu's eyes sparkled. "Way more fun than training 'Shave' by myself!"

Then a thought struck him. "Wait... You've got a long-range move now?"

"Yeah." Kaminari nodded. "I've found a way to release electricity over a distance without using tools like coins or steel balls. And I can control the direction too!"

"Seriously? That's amazing!" Tetsutetsu's admiration was genuine. "So, what's it called?"

"The name doesn't matter right now," Kaminari replied with a shrug. "Let's just test it out first. Get ready!"

With that, Kaminari activated his high-speed movement again and quickly put some distance between himself and Tetsutetsu, stopping around ten meters away.

"Here it comes!"

Taking a deep breath, Kaminari focused his energy, golden sparks crackling in his mouth as he prepared to unleash his new attack.

"BOOOOOOOOH!!!"

The golden stream of energy shot out, arcing toward Tetsutetsu with precision.

"BOOM!"

The blast expanded into a golden dome of electricity, enveloping Tetsutetsu entirely in the dazzling light. The explosion sent waves of electricity scattering, leaving the air thick with the smell of scorched earth.

Tetsutetsu's figure was completely swallowed by the surge of golden energy.

Chapter 123: Lightning Dragon's Roar

"This range... about ten meters while using 'high-speed movement'? If I go all out, it should extend to fifteen meters," Kaminari muttered, observing the aftermath of his latest "mouth cannon" attack, his body still crackling with golden electricity.

"And if I activate the second stage of 'high-voltage mode'... what then?"

As a cool breeze swept through the clearing, rustling the branches of the surrounding trees, the golden glow of Kaminari's previous attack began to fade. However, the air was still thick with the sharp, acrid smell of scorched earth.

"You! Why didn't you dodge?!" Kaminari called out to Tetsutetsu, who stood in the middle of the blackened ground. Confusion was evident on Kaminari's face. "Don't tell me you couldn't react in time with 'Shave'!"

To be honest, while the "mouth cannon" had decent speed, it was far from the lightning-fast velocity of his electromagnetic gun. He didn't think for a second that it was too fast for Tetsutetsu to dodge.

"Heh, of course not!" Tetsutetsu replied with a grin. His iron-hardened body glinted faintly under the sunlight as he inspected the residual heat clinging to his skin. "I didn't feel much danger from it, so I thought I'd let it hit me to see how strong your new move is."

Kaminari rubbed the back of his head, laughing bitterly. "So… what did you think?"

Inwardly, he noted the obvious—his current output of 100,000 volts wasn't enough to affect someone as durable as Tetsutetsu. After all, this was just a range test, not a full-powered attack. If he wanted, Kaminari could unleash all the energy in his body in one burst, potentially exceeding millions of volts. That level of power could likely incinerate even Tetsutetsu's iron skin.

"Hmm... let me think," Tetsutetsu said, scratching his stiff, white hair as he remained in his ironized form.

"First impression? It's definitely flashy. Almost on par with one of Bakugo's 'flash bangs.' It completely overwhelmed my vision for a moment."

He paused, gathering his thoughts. "Then there's the sound. When the attack hit, it wasn't just my vision, it felt like my hearing was drowned out by the crackling of the electricity."

"After that comes the heat and the force of the airwaves. And yeah, I guess if it were anyone else, they'd probably also feel numb from the shock. But honestly, the speed isn't that impressive."

As Tetsutetsu spoke, Kaminari nodded, his grin widening.

"That's fine," Kaminari said, clearly pleased. "This move is meant to be a long-range, area-control technique. Speed isn't its main focus."

"Alright, let's go again!" Tetsutetsu said, inhaling deeply and adjusting his stance. "This time, I'll use 'Shave' to dodge. Let's see if you can hit me!"

Kaminari's expression turned serious as he prepared to launch another attack. Training was training, and there was no room for sloppiness here.

"Here it comes!" Kaminari warned.

"Bzzzzzzz—"

Golden electricity crackled around him as Kaminari took a deep breath and unleashed another surge of golden energy from his mouth, aimed directly at Tetsutetsu.

The scorched earth under Tetsutetsu's feet glowed red as it was struck by the high-temperature current, becoming even more charred than before.

"Boom!"

Another bright golden dome of energy, like an inverted bowl, enveloped Tetsutetsu's position. But this time, before it could explode, Tetsutetsu reappeared four meters to the right, his "Shave" technique allowing him to narrowly avoid the impact.

"Crack!"

The golden dome detonated in a brilliant flash, sending waves of electricity and light rippling outward. The entire sequence lasted no more than two seconds.

Kaminari wasted no time. He leapt into the air, golden electricity spiraling around him, and launched another "mouth cannon" from above, aiming to catch Tetsutetsu as he landed.

"BOOOOOOOOOH!"

As Tetsutetsu moved again, Kaminari immediately targeted his new position with a third attack. He was curious to see if Tetsutetsu could maintain his rapid dodging without leaving any gaps.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

Two more explosions rocked the clearing, golden energy flooding nearly a third of the space.

Kaminari analyzed the situation as he prepared his next move.

"The coverage of a 100,000-volt 'mouth cannon' is about four meters in diameter... but if I push it to 200,000 volts, the range doubles to eight meters," he calculated.

Taking another deep breath, Kaminari prepared to unleash the full 200,000-volt version of his attack. However, before he could act, Tetsutetsu's voice called out, breaking the rhythm.

"Wait! Hold on a second!"

Steam rose from Tetsutetsu's iron-coated body as he waved his hand, a helpless look on his face. He smiled wryly at Kaminari.

"I don't think I can keep using 'Shave' back-to-back like this," Tetsutetsu admitted. "My right leg feels like it's about to give out. I probably need at least ten seconds to recover."

Kaminari looked down at Tetsutetsu's trembling leg, noticing its slight but visible shaking.

"In that case," Kaminari said thoughtfully, "if you can't control the direction and timing of your movement properly, 'Shave' really isn't practical for extended combat. It's too risky, you might only get one chance to use it."

Tetsutetsu nodded solemnly, clearly aware of the move's limitations. Still, he managed to squeeze out a smile.

"I think it's just a matter of practice," he said optimistically. "With enough training, I should be able to improve the timing and control. As for the recovery time... well, that's probably just because my legs aren't strong enough yet."

"Fair enough," Kaminari agreed, nodding. "Let's adjust. I'll attack every ten seconds, and I'll double the power of the 'mouth cannon' each time. You'd better brace yourself."

Tetsutetsu gulped, but he nodded with determination. Kaminari, meanwhile, took another deep breath and unleashed his 200,000-volt attack.

"BOOOOOOOOOH!"

This time, he added a new twist. While the "mouth cannon" surged forward, Kaminari consciously manipulated the current within his two-meter control range. The golden energy spun rapidly, forming a high-speed rotating sphere as it traveled forward.

This adjustment delayed the attack by a second but significantly increased its forward momentum. The centrifugal force not only made the attack faster, but it also increased its destructive power.

Sure enough, when the attack reached its maximum range, the resulting golden dome wasn't just a static explosion. The surface of the dome shimmered with visible currents flowing across it, adding an extra layer of intensity.

"Crack!!!"

The explosion that followed was far stronger than the previous ones. The resulting airwave blasted Tetsutetsu backward and shaved off more than ten centimeters of the scorched earth, leaving the ground glowing red-hot.

"An airwave effect, huh?" Kaminari noted with satisfaction. He had borrowed the concept of centrifugal force from fireball techniques in "Naruto," and the results spoke for themselves.

While the airwave might not seem significant, it could unbalance an opponent during combat, a momentary loss of footing could mean the difference between victory and defeat.

This thought only strengthened Kaminari's belief that the fantastical worlds he once watched in anime might actually exist. How else could techniques like "Shave" and "Raikiri" hold up under real-world physics?

"Man... Kaminari, you're seriously a genius at developing moves!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed, staring in awe at the destruction left behind. The ground looked like molten lava had passed through it.

Unable to hold back his curiosity, Tetsutetsu grinned. "So, have you come up with a name for it yet? If not, want me to help? How about the 'Thunder Cannon'?"

Kaminari chuckled but shook his head. His gaze drifted upward, where the bright blue sky stretched endlessly above.

"Let's call it... the Lightning Dragon's Roar"

Chapter 124: Direction

"Lightning Dragon's Roar?! Wow!"

Clap, clap, clap!

Upon hearing the name, Tetsutetsu's eyebrows shot up, and his excitement grew. Without warning, he began clapping his hands in an overly dramatic manner.

For some reason, he seemed unusually thrilled.

"What an awesome name!" he exclaimed, his voice full of admiration. "Kaminari, you're not just great at inventing moves—you've got a knack for naming them too!"

Tetsutetsu slapped his chest with a sigh of regret, his voice tinged with longing.

"If my hero name 'Colossus' hadn't already been decided, I would've seriously considered changing it to something like 'Iron Boy.' Just imagine—when I punch, I could shout 'Steel Dragon's Iron Fist!' Or when I kick, 'Steel Dragon's Iron Leg!' How cool would that be?"

"Uh..." Kaminari's face immediately went blank, metaphorical black lines forming above his head. He sighed softly, completely at a loss for words.

"You do realize nobody's actually asking you to change your name, right?"

"Absolutely not!" Tetsutetsu declared, rejecting Kaminari's offhand suggestion with surprising seriousness. His tone shifted to something more resolute as he continued, "Once a hero name is chosen, it shouldn't be changed lightly. Besides, this is the name you suggested for me when we first became friends. It means a lot more to me than something like 'Iron Boy.'"

Kaminari's discomfort visibly grew. He pressed his lips together, feeling more awkward by the second.

"Can you stop saying things that are so... so sentimental?" Kaminari muttered, his voice filled with exasperation.

"Sentimental? What do you mean?" Tetsutetsu tilted his head, confused.

Kaminari shook his head with a sigh and waved the question away. "Forget it." He quickly changed the subject.

"Are we still continuing? I'm planning to train until eight o'clock. Besides the Lightning Dragon's Roar, I've got a few smaller techniques I want to test out."

"Of course!" Tetsutetsu nodded eagerly. "I actually took the whole day off with Daimon-sensei to focus on mastering 'Shave.' My goal is to turn it into a proper, reliable technique as soon as possible!"

"Good thinking," Kaminari said, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Once you've fully mastered 'Shave,' you can start working on the next stage."

"Next stage?" Tetsutetsu froze for a moment, his eyes widening in surprise. "There's a next stage for 'Shave'?"

Kaminari nodded, a calm and knowing expression on his face. "Yep. The 'Shave' you're practicing now is just one of the techniques within a larger system. It's part of something called the 'Six Styles.' And actually, you've already unknowingly practiced two of them."

"Wait, what?" Tetsutetsu's curiosity peaked. "You're saying I've practiced two of them? But I've only been focusing on 'Shave'!"

"That's true," Kaminari said, patiently explaining. "But your Quirk naturally covers another one of the 'Six Styles': 'Iron Body.' Didn't I tell you when we first started that you'd need physical strength beyond that of an ordinary person to even begin practicing 'Shave'?

"'Iron Body' refers to hardening your body to the point where it's as tough as steel. Your Quirk already takes care of that step for you."

"Oh! I see now!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed, a look of realization crossing his face. Then, with a mixture of eagerness and excitement, he asked, "What about the other techniques? What are they?"

Interestingly, Tetsutetsu didn't stop to question why Kaminari knew all this. To him, the term "super genius" seemed to explain everything. Besides, he had absolute trust in Kaminari, which only reinforced his willingness to follow his guidance.

"Alright, I'll give you a quick rundown," Kaminari said with a shrug, maintaining his calm demeanor.

"The 'Six Styles,' as the name suggests, consist of six core techniques: 'Iron Body,' 'Finger Pistol,' 'Shave,' 'Tempest Kick,' 'Paper Arts,' and 'Moonwalk.'"

"Each one serves as a foundation, and once mastered, you can even develop unique variations tailored to your own style. But the real challenge is that once you've mastered all six, you can try to learn the advanced techniques: 'Life Return' and 'Six Kings Spear.'"

Kaminari spent the next ten minutes giving Tetsutetsu an overview of each technique, carefully explaining the purpose and mechanics of the "Six Styles." He also mentioned that the advanced techniques, while theoretically possible, might be beyond their reach.

By the end of it, Tetsutetsu looked visibly overwhelmed, his brain swimming with new information. Still, he managed to focus on the parts that felt most relevant to him.

"That 'Finger Pistol' you mentioned—it sounds kind of like 'Iron Body,' doesn't it? I mean, isn't it just poking someone with a hardened finger?" he asked, holding up his index finger and waving it around.

"Not exactly," Kaminari said, suppressing a small laugh. "Well, okay, it is about stabbing someone with your finger... but it's not as simple as it sounds."

He scratched the back of his head, trying to clarify. "Think of it like this: just like 'Shave,' 'Finger Pistol' isn't just about strength, it's about speed. To master it, your finger needs to move as fast as a bullet. That's the real challenge."

Tetsutetsu blinked in confusion. "So... I need to stab something over and over again, as fast as I can, until I reach that kind of speed?"

"Pretty much, yeah," Kaminari replied, wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead. At least Tetsutetsu was starting to get it.

"If you can really master 'Finger Pistol,' you might even be able to break through Kirishima's 'hardened' defense with just a single finger."

"Seriously?!" Tetsutetsu's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's awesome!"

"Don't get ahead of yourself," Kaminari said with a grin. He then pointed at Tetsutetsu's chest, his expression turning serious.

"Before you start worrying about 'Finger Pistol,' I think you should focus on learning 'Tempest Kick.' It'll help cover your lack of long-range attacks."

He continued, his tone measured and thoughtful. "Your Quirk gives you incredible defense, judo provides grappling techniques, and 'Shave' gives you mobility. If you add 'Tempest Kick,' which allows you to send slashing vacuum blades with high-speed kicks, you'll be close to an all-around fighter."

"If anything's missing, it's aerial mobility. But you can work on that later by learning 'Moonwalk.' Right now, it's a little too advanced for you."

Seeing Kaminari's serious expression, Tetsutetsu straightened up, treating the conversation with the same focus as a diligent student.

Although Tetsutetsu had always worked hard, it was Kaminari who had consistently guided him in the right direction. Every improvement in his strength his judo, his leg power, even his progress with 'Shave' was proof of Kaminari's accurate advice.

"Alright!" Tetsutetsu said, his voice firm. "Once I master 'Shave,' I'll start working on 'Tempest Kick!'"

Kaminari smiled approvingly. As someone who valued hard work himself, he couldn't help but admire Tetsutetsu's determination.

"Good. Let's keep going!"

"God Speed, activate!"

"Boom!"

Without another word, Kaminari launched himself into the air, golden electricity wrapping around his body. He took a deep breath and unleashed another attack at Tetsutetsu below.

"Bzzzzzzzt—"

"Lightning Dragon's Roar!!"

"Shave!"

Whoosh!

"Boom!!!"

Deep in the jungle of Omiya Park, golden light erupted once more, accompanied by a thunderous explosion. The sound of two teenagers relentlessly training echoed through the trees.

Chapter 125: Selection of Hero Work-Studies

At 10 p.m., Kaminari dragged his exhausted body back home. The electricity in his body had been completely drained, leaving him feeling sluggish. He knew he'd need to talk to his parents about recharging.

He returned two hours later than planned. "Man, I totally lost track of time," he muttered to himself. "I should've set the Pikachu alarm clock on the table... well, lesson learned."

Fortunately, his mother was understanding, especially after watching his performance during the Hero Sports Festival. She no longer worried as much when Kaminari stayed out training by himself.

"My son is so capable now, what's there to worry about?" That was probably her reasoning.

Still, the recharging situation required her husband's approval, so after rinsing off in the bathroom, Kaminari called his father.

"What's up, son?" came his father's warm voice over the phone.

"Well," Kaminari began, speaking softly, "I sparred with Tetsutetsu for a few hours, and I ended up draining all the electricity in my body. Can I go ahead and recharge?"

Because the amount of electricity he required wasn't exactly trivial, it was only polite to ask for permission first.

"No problem! Go ahead and recharge," his father replied without hesitation, momentarily pausing his work.

"Pokémon merchandise has been selling like crazy lately,our family can afford it!" he added, chuckling.

Then his father brought up something else. "Oh, by the way, the 'Vulpix' and 'Ninetales' merchandise we made for Yaoyorozu's family is ready. Do you want me to send it directly to her house, or would you prefer to deliver it yourself?"

Kaminari thought for a moment, setting the phone down on speaker mode as he pulled out a blank sheet of music paper from his drawer.

"How many items are there?" he asked while grabbing a pencil.

"Quite a few," his dad replied. "There are pillows, watches, stickers, posters, and several high-quality figurines of different sizes."

Hearing this, Kaminari casually replied while jotting down some notes on the paper, "Just send them directly. Her family lives pretty far away, in the suburbs of Aichi Prefecture, and I've got a lot to take care of on my end."

There was a brief silence on the other end of the call. Then, with a heavy sigh, his dad muttered, "Alright, I get it!"

The line went dead.

Kaminari looked at the phone in surprise. "Huh? What was that about? Is Dad in a bad mood today?" He scratched his head in confusion. "That's weird. He seemed happy earlier when he mentioned the company's sales were up. Oh well, no use overthinking it."

Shrugging it off, Kaminari turned his attention back to the paper in front of him. He began humming softly, immersing himself in his work.

After all, this was one of his hidden talents, wasn't it?

"Spread your wings and take flight"

"You said if you could fly, you'd never come back down"

"So keep trying to break free, to that blue, blue sky…"

Each time he sang a line, he quickly wrote down the notes and lyrics. Before long, his humming filled the room, growing louder and more enthusiastic.

Writing the opening song "Blue Bird" from a certain anime he remembered was giving Kaminari a sense of accomplishment. Hearing the familiar tune come to life in this world made him feel surprisingly emotional.

Outside the room, his mother quietly stood by the door, listening intently. A smile spread across her face as she nodded along to the melody.

"My son is composing another song... and it's beautiful. I like this one even more than the others," she murmured to herself.

While she loved everything Kaminari wrote, "Blue Bird" resonated with her on a deeper level. It had a timeless charm that her earlier favorites, like "Only My Railgun" and "Hero," didn't quite match.

Inside, Kaminari was completely absorbed in his work. Outside, his mother stood quietly, savoring the music. The atmosphere in the house was serene, the peaceful melody weaving through the air.

"I made the right decision when I encouraged him to learn the guitar," she thought. If she hadn't supported him back then, Kaminari might never have developed his passion for music or created songs like this one.

Eventually, the humming stopped. His mother left with a contented smile, and time moved on.

At 6 p.m., his father returned home, and the family of three gathered around the dining table to enjoy a hearty meal prepared by his mother.

By 7:30, with dessert ready and the dishes cleared, they sat in the living room to watch the latest episode of Pokémon. This had become something of a tradition in their household, a relaxing way to end the week together.

It was a funny sight, really: Kaminari watching himself go on an adventure in another world, while his parents enjoyed the show as much as he did.

Of course, the story had diverged significantly from the version he remembered from his past life. Many of the Pokémon designs and evolutions had changed in ways that felt oddly familiar yet different.

When the episode ended and the credits rolled, Kaminari leaned back, savoring the moment. The ending theme wasn't sung by him this time but by a professional singer from Mitsui Entertainment.

"By the way, son," his dad suddenly said, breaking the silence as he picked up an apple slice from the fruit platter. "Have you thought about where you want to go for your Hero Work-Studies?"

"Even though you faced penalties during the Sports Festival, your performance was still impressive. I'm sure you've gotten plenty of offers."

As a businessman, his father understood how the adult world worked. People didn't just focus on the surface; they looked at potential and long-term value. The Hero agencies were no different, they were businesses too, even if their goals revolved around saving lives and maintaining peace.

Kaminari paused, caught off guard by the question. Truthfully, he hadn't given it much thought. Between training, the Sports Festival, and other responsibilities, it hadn't crossed his mind.

"You don't have to decide right away," his dad continued. "But you should start thinking about the kind of agency you want to join. Professional Heroes specialize in different areas depending on their Quirks, what direction do you want to take?"

Before Kaminari could answer, his mother chimed in with a worried tone.

"Son, please don't choose a combat-heavy agency," she said. "The Sports Festival was one thing, you were only up against other students. But Hero Work-Studies is different. You could end up fighting real villains... dangerous ones."

Her concern was understandable. Even though she had faith in Kaminari's abilities, the thought of him facing life-threatening situations was something no parent could bear easily.

Kaminari gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Mom. I'll think it through carefully before making a decision."

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 126: Blue Bird

It was Sunday, and today Kaminari didn't head to his "base" to practice with Tetsutetsu. He opted for a routine morning jog instead, while Tetsutetsu went off to train on his own.

By afternoon, Kaminari found himself in a recording studio. The sound engineer, Dawu, was bobbing his head to the music, thoroughly enjoying the songs playing in the background as he worked diligently.

Standing behind him were Kaminari's father and the band's manager, Momo. Though less outwardly animated than Dawu, they were clearly just as impressed by the music.

"You said if you could fly,

You would fly far - far into that sky,

And you would set your aim,

On the clouds all around that endless sky,

The moment you break free,

You'll finally find, you'll find all you seek

And it's all waiting there,

In that blue, in that blue sky up above

In that blue, in that blue sky up above

In that blue, in that blue sky up above"

As Kaminari sang the final line of the song, his voice trailed off as the music came to a close. He looked up, grinned, and gave Dawu an "OK" gesture from behind the soundproof glass. Dawu returned the gesture with equal enthusiasm, both of them letting out a synchronized sigh of relief.

"Finally done…" Kaminari exhaled, running a hand through his hair.

Kyoka, the band's bassist, wiped her forehead dramatically, grinning. "Yeah, no matter how amazing a song is, singing it a dozen times in a row will make you sick of it."

Kaminari chuckled. "True. Even a masterpiece gets old after a while."

Kyoka twirled her bass with a satisfied smirk. "Well, it's easier for me. I'm just playing the bass, I didn't have to sing!"

Kaminari's smile turned mischievous. "Don't get too comfortable. You're up next!"

"What?" Kyoka froze, her eyes wide. "Wait, I have to sing too?"

"Of course," Kaminari said, matter-of-factly.

"You're the lead singer, aren't you?"

"Well, yeah…"

Kaminari smirked. "But who said there can only be one lead singer? I'm the male lead, and you're the female lead. From now on, our band's songs will have two versions: a male version and a female version. And if it suits the song, we'll do duets too!"

The idea had struck him back when he and Kyoka were preparing for the Sports Festival. He'd realized that while his own versions of the songs worked, something was missing—female vocals.

Kyoka hesitated, a mix of embarrassment and excitement crossing her face. "I… I guess that makes sense."

Seeing her enthusiasm starting to grow, Kaminari nodded firmly. "Don't overthink it. We'll record it a few times until you feel comfortable. I'll play the piano for you this time."

Kyoka brightened at his encouragement, nodding with a small smile. "Alright, let's do it!"

Kaminari relayed the plan to Dawu outside the booth, and the team prepared for another round of recording. As Kyoka settled in, Kaminari reassured her.

"It's normal to be nervous your first few times, but trust me, you'll get used to it. And soon enough, you'll be handling this like a pro."

He added with a teasing grin, "Oh, and while you're at it, we should also record a female version of 'Railgun.' Have you seen the fan comments? A lot of people are asking for it."

Outside the booth, Kaminari's father was preparing to leave after spending nearly an hour in the studio. But before leaving, he pulled a card from his pocket and handed it to Momo.

"Uncle, what's this?" she asked curiously, taking the card and noticing two lines of text on it.

"This is the login information for Kaminari's Twitter account," he explained with a smile. "You're the band's manager, so from now on, you'll handle this."

Momo blinked in surprise, her expression quickly shifting to one of gratitude. "Thank you! I'll do my best!"

Kaminari's father chuckled, patting her shoulder lightly. "Take care of Kaminari. You're doing great."

He glanced back at the sound booth, where Kaminari was focused intently on his guitar, and muttered softly as he walked away, "Silly kid…"

Another hour passed, and the recording finally wrapped up. Kaminari and Kyoka emerged from the booth, stretching and looking thoroughly exhausted.

"You're finally out," Momo said with a calm smile, pointing to the time on her watch.

"Whoa, it's almost two o'clock!" Kaminari said, rubbing his stomach sheepishly. "No wonder I'm starving."

"Same here," Kyoka added, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. Despite the long session, she was clearly in high spirits from the singing.

That's when she noticed the unique design of Momo's watch.

"'Ninetales' peripheral watches?" Kyoka thought, realizing the design wasn't available in stores yet. She glanced down at her bare wrist, a small pang of envy flashing across her face, though she didn't say anything out loud.

"Alright, let's grab some lunch!" Kaminari announced, addressing the group. "It's on me today."

The three of them headed out together, making their way to a nearby shopping street lined with small restaurants.

Kaminari didn't opt for anything fancy, instead choosing a modest spot called Yoshinoya and ordering three regular beef bowls.

It was simple food, but it hit the spot. Whether it was because of the flavor or just their hunger, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

Interestingly, Momo mentioned that it was her first time trying a beef bowl, which left Kaminari and Kyoka momentarily stunned. Then they quickly remembered, this was normal for someone like Momo.

After finishing their meal, the three stepped outside, the sound of a small bell jingling as they left the restaurant.

"That was delicious," Momo said, smiling contentedly. "I'll have to ask Tajima if he can make this at home."

Her comment made Kaminari and Kyoka exchange amused glances.

At that moment, a sleek black luxury car pulled up to the curb. A chauffeur in a pristine suit stepped out and opened the rear door.

"Miss Momo," the man said politely.

"Already?" Momo sighed softly, clearly reluctant to leave. She gave Kaminari and Kyoka a small wave. "Thanks for today. See you both later!"

As the car drove away, Kyoka watched its departure with a faint smile. "It must be tough sometimes, being the daughter of such a wealthy family," she said quietly.

"Yeah," Kaminari replied, his tone neutral. "Let's go. I'll walk you to the subway station."

With that, the two headed back along the food shopping street, the afternoon sun casting long shadows behind them.

Chapter 127: Amethyst Necklace

Perhaps because it was the weekend and the weather was pleasant, the streets were bustling with young couples strolling about.

At the same time, the impact of the recently concluded Hero Sports Festival had started to ripple through Saitama City. Kaminari and Kyoka, walking side by side, quickly became the center of attention. Whispers and pointing fingers followed them wherever they went.

"Wow, am I lucky today!"

A young man, sporting an SLR camera around his neck, trailed behind them excitedly. Every so often, he raised his camera to discreetly snap pictures of their backs.

The market was still abuzz with headlines and articles about the Hero Sports Festival, with Kaminari's name being one of the hottest topics. The man, clearly a fledgling reporter, saw this as an opportunity to strike gold. A picture of Kaminari strolling with a girl? That would sell for sure!

"That girl… that's Kyoka Jiro, right? His classmate and the bassist of the Pikachu Band. Are they dating?"

The thought alone made the young reporter giddy with excitement. Unable to contain himself, he quickened his pace, almost breaking into a jog to catch up.

"I need a proper shot of their faces!"

Soon, he positioned himself near the entrance of a small udon shop, a spot that offered a clear view of the two from the side.

What? You think I'll take a direct shot from the front? Hah, do I look like an idiot?

Adjusting his camera, he aimed at Kaminari and Kyoka, who had stopped in front of a jewelry stall. His face lit up.

"This angle is perfect!"

Unaware of the reporter's antics, Kaminari glanced at Kyoka, who was inspecting a necklace.

"Hey, you like that one?" he asked curiously, his gaze shifting to her neck. "I don't think I've ever seen you wear necklaces before."

"Yeah, I usually don't," Kyoka replied, smiling shyly as she picked up a necklace with a purple amethyst pendant on a golden chain. "But it reminds me of Grape…"

Kaminari tilted his head, slightly confused. "But isn't this just costume jewelry? Real amethysts wouldn't sell for this price, right?"

The young woman behind the stall, who appeared to be a college student, nodded matter-of-factly. "You're right. It's not a real amethyst. Genuine stones can't be sold for just 5,000 yen. But every piece here is designed and handcrafted by me."

Kyoka shook her head lightly. "That's fine. I don't really care if it's real." She reached for her wallet, only to have Kaminari stop her with a hand on hers.

"I'll cover it," Kaminari said, flashing a warm smile. "Jewelry shouldn't be something you buy for yourself. Think of it as a little gift from me."

Without giving Kyoka a chance to protest, he pulled out a 5,000-yen note and handed it to the stall owner.

Kyoka blinked in surprise but quickly nodded with a small smile, clearly pleased. However, she couldn't resist teasing him. She lightly swatted his arm and said, "You're doing it again! You're just a month older than me, you're not my 'big brother!'"

Kaminari chuckled. "Hey, I'm not just a month older, I'm a day older. Still counts. That makes me your big brother, and you my little sister!"

Kyoka rolled her eyes but didn't argue further. Kaminari took the necklace from the stall owner and held it up.

"Come on, let me put it on for you," he offered.

"Wait, what?!" Kyoka stepped back, glancing nervously at the growing crowd. "There are so many people watching…"

Only then did Kaminari notice how many onlookers had gathered. Realizing their status as public figures, he hesitated.

"If I put this on her now, it'll probably end up all over social media," he thought. "I don't care about rumors, but Kyoka might."

With an awkward laugh, he handed the necklace to her instead. "Alright, you can put it on yourself later."

Kyoka took it, her fingers brushing the pendant. She seemed momentarily disappointed, but she nodded. "Yeah… okay."

Before she could tuck the necklace into her wallet, a sudden commotion broke out nearby.

"Get away! Get away from me!"

A panicked, anxious voice echoed from a distance, growing louder with each passing second.

The reporter trailing them, still happily snapping photos, paused for a moment as the shouting reached his ears. He ignored it, focusing instead on his golden opportunity.

"Eh? What's this?" he muttered when he saw Kaminari and Kyoka glance in the direction of the noise. His first instinct was that he'd been caught taking photos.

But before he could lower his camera, a series of heavy footsteps thundered from behind him.

"What the—"

BAM!

A massive shadow loomed over the reporter. In the blink of an eye, he was sent flying like a ragdoll, crashing through the door of the nearby udon shop.

"Ahhh!"

Gasps erupted from the crowd as the cause of the chaos came into view, a towering man made entirely of jagged stone. Tears streamed down his rough, rocky face as he barreled through the street, clutching a handful of gold chains in his enormous hands.

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" the stone man sobbed, his voice breaking as he apologized loudly. "I didn't mean to hurt anyone—I swear!"

Three Heroes in strange costumes followed closely behind, their shouts blending with the chaotic scene as they tried to catch him.

"Kaminari!" Kyoka called out, her voice sharp with concern. The stone man was heading straight for them.

Behind them, the stall owner frantically tried to pack up her jewelry, panic written all over her face.

"Step aside," Kaminari said calmly, moving to the side to avoid the oncoming rampage. He was used to situations like this, Quirk-related incidents were a regular occurrence.

The existence of Quirks made crime an inevitable problem, even with a Symbol of Peace like All Might keeping things in check. It was precisely why the Hero profession was still essential.

But what Kaminari hadn't expected was the stall owner's reaction.

"No! Don't come here!" she cried out, desperately trying to gather her wares into a box.

"What are you doing?!" Kyoka shouted at her, disbelief in her tone. "Forget the jewelry and get out of here!"

But the girl shook her head stubbornly, her voice trembling. "These… these are my living expenses and tuition fees! If I lose them, I'm finished!"

Chapter 128: Rope-Man

"Get away! Why don't you get out of the way!!"

Boom!

"Ahhhhh!"

With tears streaming down his rocky face, the large stone man charged forward, his immense strength smashing through the jewelry stall and sending the girl behind it flying.

"I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I can't stop, I can't slow down… My daughter… My daughter is waiting for me… I need to save her…" he cried out in anguish.

At that moment, one of the pursuing Heroes finally caught up.

"Rope Binding!"

Whoosh!

Thick ropes launched from the Hero's body like serpents, swiftly coiling around the stone man's legs and yanking him off balance. The impact sent him crashing to the ground with a loud thud.

The ropes didn't stop there, continuing to twist and wrap around the stone man's entire body until he was completely immobilized, resembling a giant, rocky mummy.

Boom.
Boom.
Boom.

The remaining two Heroes caught up moments later, surrounding the restrained stone man. Scattered across the ground were broken jewelry pieces, glinting under the sunlight.

"Everyone, please step back! We'll handle the situation!" the rope Hero called out to the crowd. Turning to one of his partners, he gave an order.

"Contact the police and have them come to pick him up."

"Understood!"

Watching from the side, Kaminari narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. "Ah, looks like they're from a pro Hero office," he muttered. "But I've never heard of this guy before... definitely not one of the top ten Heroes."

That wasn't surprising—aside from his teachers and the top-ranking Heroes, Kaminari wasn't too familiar with others in the field. Not that it mattered, someone nearby always seemed eager to share information.

"It's the Rope Hero, ROPE-MAN!" a man with glasses announced proudly to his girlfriend. "And the one next to him is his partner, Phantom. Not sure about the third one, maybe he's new?"

Kaminari's thoughts shifted as his eyes landed on the jewelry stall girl who had been knocked over earlier. She was lying on the ground, unconscious and worryingly still.

Something about the scene made his stomach churn. Was that… blood pooling beneath her?

"Hey…" Kaminari started to speak, intending to alert the Heroes, but before he could, the stone man on the ground began to move.

"Let… let me go!" the stone man bellowed, his voice filled with rage and desperation. The crowd instinctively backed away, fear etched on their faces.

"Tch." ROPE-MAN sneered, clearly unimpressed. "No one's ever broken free from my alloy ropes before. Stop struggling."

Crack.

The sound of splitting fibers cut through the air, wiping the smirk off ROPE-MAN's face.

"Impossible!" he shouted, wide-eyed.

"ROAR!!"

With a deafening yell, the stone man flexed his powerful body, shattering the ropes binding him as if they were nothing more than paper.

"My daughter is waiting for me!!" he cried, staggering to his feet. He reached down and, to everyone's horror, grabbed the unconscious jewelry stall girl with his left hand, lifting her off the ground.

"Ahhhh!"

A scream pierced the air, not from the girl he held, but from another young girl nearby, clutching her father tightly. Tears streamed down her face as she pointed at the scene.

Blood began dripping from the body of the unconscious girl, staining the ground beneath her. A dark red puddle marked the spot where she had been lying moments earlier.

The sight caused a collective gasp from the crowd. Even the Heroes froze momentarily in shock.

"What… what happened?!" the stone man stammered, staring at the blood trickling down his captive's body. His face twisted in disbelief. "I just bumped her! How is there so much blood?!"

"It's the jewelry," Kaminari said quietly, his tone grim. His sharp eyes caught the shards of crystal-like fragments glinting in the bloody puddle.

"You smashed the jewelry stall first, then knocked her down with too much force. The shards must have cut her when she hit the ground."

The realization settled over the crowd like a heavy blanket. The girl had been critically injured by the very merchandise she was trying to protect.

"Let her go!" ROPE-MAN barked, his voice more urgent now. "She needs immediate medical attention!"

"Ah? Yes, yes, I'll let her go…" The stone man's hands trembled, but then he froze, his expression hardening. "No! I can't let her go!"

The crowd gasped again, murmurs spreading like wildfire.

"I won't hurt her—I'll take her to the hospital myself!" the stone man declared, his voice frantic. "Don't try to stop me!"

"Impossible!" ROPE-MAN snapped. His expression hardened as he raised his ropes again. "You're a criminal. There's no way we can let you leave!"

"I know I broke the law!" the stone man shouted, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. "But I need this money for my daughter's surgery! Please, just let me save her!"

Tears streamed down his face as he cried, "I've tried everything! I begged the doctors, I pleaded with the police, I even went to the rich neighborhoods to ask for help! No one would lend me the money—no one!"

The raw pain in his voice silenced the crowd. Even Kaminari stood rooted in place, lost in thought. For a brief moment, he imagined himself in the stone man's shoes. What would he do if his parents were in danger and he had no other options?

"Please, Heroes, I'm begging you!" the stone man continued, his cries growing louder. "My daughter is in the city hospital right now. I swear I'll turn myself in after paying for her surgery! Just let me take this girl there—please!"

The girl in his hand was deathly pale, the blood loss clearly taking its toll.

"No!" ROPE-MAN shouted, cutting through the stone man's pleas. His tone was cold, unyielding. "Put her down and surrender now! That's your only option!"

"And let me remind you," he added, "the money you stole is considered illegal gains. The hospital won't accept it."

The stone man's face twisted in despair.

Kyoka's fists clenched at her sides. She glared at ROPE-MAN, her voice sharp with anger. "That girl's dying! Isn't it the Hero's job to save lives first?!"

She turned to the stone man, her voice softening. "Just let him take her to the hospital! He can't escape anyway, arrest him after she's safe!"

She could still hear Aizawa-sensei's voice in her mind: "The priority is to protect and rescue those in danger before dealing with the criminal."

"Stay out of this, kid!" ROPE-MAN barked, turning on Kyoka. "You don't know what you're talking about. A Hero's job is to arrest villains and maintain order!"

Chapter 129: Clever Kyoka

"Can you stop arguing and just do your job? Arrest him and save that girl, she's dying!"

Kaminari, clearly frustrated, took two steps forward, placing himself between Kyoka and ROPE-MAN. His tone was firm but controlled, making it clear he was done with the back-and-forth.

"You!"

ROPE-MAN turned to Kaminari, his face twisting in irritation. But before he could retort, the stone man, who had been watching their exchange, erupted with a furious shout.

"Stay back!"

"Don't come any closer! If any of you try to stop me, I'll… I'll strangle her!"

The stone man's face was a mask of desperation, his massive hands trembling as they gripped the unconscious girl. His frantic gaze darted between the Heroes, his resolve slowly cracking under the weight of his own guilt and despair.

"Damn it…"

ROPE-MAN's expression darkened. He wanted to act, to subdue the stone man and save the hostage but he hesitated. His ropes weren't fast enough to stop the man before he could harm the girl.

Kaminari's fists clenched tightly by his sides. This wasn't like the time he'd rescued the elderly man. This wasn't a simple save; it required him to directly attack someone. And with so many people watching some of whom clearly recognized him, he knew that every action he took would be under heavy scrutiny.

The repercussions of his decisions wouldn't be the same as for an ordinary person. A misstep could tarnish his reputation as a rising Hero.

"Kaminari, look!"

Kyoka's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. She raised her phone, the screen glowing with a live video call.

"Midnight-sensei?!" Kaminari exclaimed when he saw the familiar figure on the display. Midnight appeared to be rushing somewhere, her surroundings a blur of movement.

"Kaminari Denki!"

Kyoka had turned the volume all the way up, so everyone present, Heroes, civilians, and even the stone man could hear the conversation.

"In the name of the Pro Hero Midnight, I hereby authorize you to use your Quirk in this situation!"

Her voice was clear and commanding, leaving no room for hesitation.

"Repeat: I, Midnight, as a Pro Hero, authorize you to engage in combat to save the hostage!"

"Save her immediately, she doesn't have much time!"

The moment Midnight's declaration ended, Kaminari felt the weight on his shoulders lighten. A small smile tugged at the corners of his lips as he glanced at Kyoka, who was holding up the phone with a determined expression.

"Good work, Kyoka."

"You… You're connected to Midnight-senpai?!" ROPE-MAN stammered in disbelief, his confidence wavering.

The younger Hero standing beside him, who seemed fresh out of an ordinary university's Hero program, leaned in and whispered, "Midnight is a Hero course teacher. That means… he's a UA student!"

The crowd, many of whom had already recognized Kaminari, began murmuring excitedly.

"Tap, tap, tap…"

Ignoring the growing whispers, Kaminari reached out to gently pat Kyoka's head before stepping forward. His expression was unreadable, his movements calm but deliberate.

"Stay back! This is your final warning! If you come any closer, I'll crush her!" the stone man shouted, his voice thick with desperation.

To emphasize his threat, he began to tighten his grip around the girl's neck. The sight made ROPE-MAN pale, his panic evident as he tried to intervene.

"Wait! Don't do anything rash—"

Crack!

A blinding flash of golden light cut him off mid-sentence, forcing everyone to shield their eyes.

The intensity of the light left the stone man momentarily dazed. But as his vision returned, so did his rage.

"I told you not to push me!" he roared, his voice shaking with anger. "I begged you to understand! You still want to stop me?! You're forcing me!"

The desperation in his tone turned to fury as he shouted, "If this is how it's going to be… then I'll take her with me! You leave me no choice!!"

His hand began to squeeze tighter, his knuckles cracking under the pressure. But before he could finish his grim declaration, something unexpected happened.

Boom!

The stone man's right leg suddenly buckled, sending him crashing to the ground with such force that the stone slabs beneath him shattered.

"What… what's happening to me?!" he gasped, his voice laced with confusion and fear.

No matter how hard he tried, his body refused to respond properly. Every attempt to stand ended with him collapsing again, his movements clumsy and uncoordinated.

Kaminari, who had already retrieved the injured girl, carefully laid her down on the ground. The golden electricity that had enveloped his body faded as he returned to his normal state.

His voice was calm but firm as he addressed the fallen man. "I understand you're desperate. I know you feel like you've run out of options. But no matter how dire your situation is, you can't justify putting someone else's life at risk."

Kaminari glanced briefly at the stone man, then turned his attention back to the girl, checking her condition with a grim expression.

"You're lucky she's still alive," he said softly, though there was no warmth in his tone.

The girl's blood loss was severe, and the wound wasn't clotting. Kaminari's frown deepened as he realized how critical her condition was.

"If this keeps up, she won't make it to the hospital in time," he muttered to himself.

Meanwhile, the surrounding Heroes and onlookers finally began to process what had happened. ROPE-MAN, in particular, was stunned.

"What… what did he do?" ROPE-MAN whispered, his mind racing. "How did he take down that guy so quickly?"

As Kaminari continued to assess the girl's injuries, he suddenly made a decision. Golden electricity began to flicker around his hands.

"What's he doing?!" ROPE-MAN shouted, his voice filled with alarm as he saw Kaminari channeling electricity into the injured girl.

The sight sent the older Hero into a panic. Thinking Kaminari was harming the girl, he raised his rope and launched it at him.

"Stop this right now!"

Snap!

Kaminari's hand moved with lightning speed, swatting the rope aside effortlessly.

"Don't interfere!" Kaminari snapped, his voice colder than before.

The golden electricity intensified, wrapping around the girl's body in a controlled current. The crowd gasped, unsure of what to make of the sight.

"Relax!" Kyoka shouted, stepping forward to address the onlookers. "Kaminari's using his electricity to stimulate her body. It's a temporary boost to help her hold on until we get her proper treatment!"

The explanation seemed to calm the murmuring crowd, but ROPE-MAN, now sprawled on the ground from the shock of Kaminari's counter, looked both humiliated and furious.

"You could've told me that earlier!" he groaned, twitching slightly as residual sparks danced along his body.

Kaminari ignored him entirely, his focus locked on saving the girl's life.

Chapter 130: Heroes and Villains

As expected, after using his electricity to stimulate her body, the unconscious girl's complexion began to improve slightly. However, the wound on her side continued to bleed heavily.

"Kyoka!"

"Bandage her up! We can't let her keep bleeding!"

Kyoka nodded and hurried over. But as she knelt beside the girl, she looked at her empty hands, her face scrunching with frustration.

"What should I use to bandage her?"

Kaminari scanned the area quickly and noticed a piece of black cloth lying on the ground. It had previously been used to cover the jewelry stall. He grabbed it without hesitation.

Thwap!

He shook the cloth vigorously to remove the dust and debris, then pressed his hands against it, releasing a controlled amount of electricity.

The cloth began to steam as the heat from his electricity sterilized it, at least to some degree. He wasn't sure how effective it would be, but it was better than nothing.

Rip!

With brute force, Kaminari tore the cloth into long strips and handed them to Kyoka.

"Use this."

"Got it!"

Kyoka's expression was serious as she crouched next to the injured girl and began bandaging her wound. She moved quickly and confidently, her hands steady. Basic first aid techniques were part of their Hero training, and it was clear she remembered them well.

Meanwhile, Kaminari turned his attention to the stone man, who was still struggling to regain control of his body. The man's glare was fierce, his eyes filled with anger and frustration.

"You said your daughter is in the city hospital, right?" Kaminari asked, his voice calm but direct.

"What's her name? How old is she?"

The stone man's eyes widened, and his demeanor changed instantly. His expression twisted into one of desperation as he shouted, "What are you trying to do?! This has nothing to do with her!"

Kaminari sighed, realizing there was no reasoning with him in this state. Without another word, he stepped forward and slammed his fist into the man's face, his knuckles sparking with electricity.

Crack!
Boom!

The impact sent the stone man sprawling back onto the ground.

"Calmed down now?" Kaminari asked flatly, staring down at the man who lay groaning at his feet. "Then shut up and listen."

He crouched down slightly, his tone softening just enough to convey sincerity.

"You're not going anywhere near the hospital, not today. But if your daughter really is in critical condition, I can go check on her. If there's anything I can do to help, I will."

The stone man's lips curled into a bitter sneer.

"Help? You? A hypocritical 'Hero'?" he spat, his voice thick with venom. "I've seen what people like you are really like. I'd rather my daughter die than let her fall into your hands!"

His voice cracked, and his sneer turned into a grimace. "If I can't save her myself, then what's the point? I'll follow her to the next world. At least we'll be free from this cruel place together."

Kaminari stared at the man in silence for a moment, his expression unreadable. He could see it now, this wasn't just desperation. This was someone who had completely given up on society, on the world itself.

It wasn't just sad—it was devastating.

"Kaminari! Kyoka!"

The voice of Midnight rang out, cutting through the tense atmosphere. The pro Hero arrived in a police car, with two others pulling up right behind her.

She stepped out, scanning the scene quickly. Her gaze landed on ROPE-MAN, who was still lying on the ground, and her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Wait, did this villain take him down?" she muttered under her breath, surprised that someone with ROPE-MAN's reputation had been subdued so easily.

"Actually, no—"

The younger Hero who had been accompanying ROPE-MAN stepped forward, eager to explain. He spoke quickly, glancing nervously between Midnight and Kaminari.

"Ah, I see," Midnight said after hearing the full story. She turned to Kaminari, her expression unreadable, and then to Kyoka, who was still tending to the injured girl. Finally, her gaze fell on the unconscious ROPE-MAN.

"Good work, Kaminari," she said firmly, nodding in approval. "You made the right call prioritizing the injured."

Kaminari met her gaze and gave a small nod in return.

Midnight's tone turned sharper as she addressed the situation further. "In my name, Kaminari has the authority to act. If anyone has a problem with how he handled this, they can take it up with me."

Her words left no room for argument.

"Sensei," Kaminari said, gesturing toward the stone man, who was now restrained by two police officers with special handcuffs. "He says he has a daughter in the city hospital who needs emergency surgery. That's why he resorted to stealing the jewelry. He couldn't afford the operation."

The stone man flinched, his body going stiff as the officers began to lead him away.

Hearing this, Midnight turned her full attention to him. "What's your daughter's name?" she asked, her voice calm but firm.

The man hesitated, his lips pressing into a tight line. His distrust was palpable, but Midnight didn't push him. She simply waited, letting the weight of his silence hang in the air.

Finally, he broke.

"Youmei," he whispered hoarsely. "Her name is Youmei. She's in Room 605 at the city hospital. Please… please save her."

"Youmei?" Midnight repeated, her brow furrowing. "What's her last name?"

The stone man shook his head, his voice trembling. "She doesn't have one. I… I found her in a garbage dump five years ago. I named her Youmei because I wanted her to have a future… a name she could grow into."

He lowered his head, his voice cracking. "I didn't think… someone like me… someone with no home, no future… should give her my name. It wouldn't mean anything."

The silence that followed was deafening.

Kaminari, Kyoka, Midnight, the police—everyone stood frozen, processing what they had just heard.

This man, this so-called villain, had risked everything, not for himself, but for a child he had no blood relation to.

The weight of his words pressed down on Kaminari like a boulder. A single thought echoed in his mind: Every villain is a Hero in their own story.

He didn't regret taking action against the man, but…

He exhaled deeply, his voice quiet as he spoke. "I'll go check on her."

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 131: Missing Youmei

Finally, under the watchful eyes and murmurs of countless onlookers, the burly man was shoved into a police car by the officers, the vehicle disappearing down the road as everyone looked on.

As for Kaminari, Kyoka, Midnight, and the others, they accompanied the severely injured reporter and the young girl, who had lost a lot of blood, to Saitama Municipal General Hospital via a late-arriving ambulance.

They hadn't needed to follow along, but Kaminari insisted on seeing the girl through her hospitalization. The others decided to tag along without protest.

When they reached the hospital, the doctors and nurses, who had been waiting anxiously at the emergency entrance, rushed to the ambulance as soon as the doors swung open. They quickly helped move the injured onto hospital beds.

Fortunately, the girl's condition had stabilized somewhat. Thanks to the emergency doctor's timely intervention, a blood transfusion had been administered en route.

The reporter, however, wasn't as lucky. With multiple fractures and a destroyed SLR camera, his situation could only be described as unfortunate.

"That man mentioned Room 605, right?" Kyoka tilted her head slightly, her tone curious.

"Yeah, that's what he said. It should be on the sixth floor," Kaminari replied with a nod. Just then, Midnight, walking alongside them, suddenly asked, "So, what exactly are you planning to say when you see her?"

Kaminari froze at the question, falling silent.

"Yeah… what am I supposed to say?" he muttered under his breath. "What could I possibly tell her? That I've taken away her only pillar of support?"

"Ding!"

The elevator arrived with a chime, the doors sliding open. But Kaminari didn't move.

Neither Midnight nor Kyoka urged him forward. They simply stood by silently, waiting. The elevator doors slowly slid shut again, but just before they could fully close, a slender hand stopped them.

"There's no point in overthinking it," Kaminari said suddenly, his voice firmer now. "I'll tell her the truth. All of it. And… I'll let her know that she had a good father."

Resolute now, he stepped into the elevator. Midnight and Kyoka exchanged a quick glance before following him inside with soft smiles.

"1…"

"2…"

"3…"

The elevator ascended, the chimes marking the passing floors.

"4… 5… 6."

"Ding!"

The doors opened once more. Kaminari and the others stepped out, glancing down the hallways to their left and right before heading toward the left, where Room 605 was located.

"Here goes…" Kaminari took a deep breath in front of the ward's door, his hand hesitating briefly before pushing it open.

"Whoosh!"

"...Huh?"

But the scene inside wasn't at all what Kaminari had expected. The small five-year-old girl was nowhere to be found.

Instead, the window was wide open, and the cool afternoon breeze swept freely into the empty room.

"Where is she?"

Midnight strode toward the hospital bed, scanning the business card attached to it. Her frown deepened as she took in the surroundings. "This is her room, it's got her name on it. Kyoka's right."

She quickly approached the open window. The faint marks of dirt on the windowsill immediately caught her attention, and a sinking feeling settled in her chest.

"Someone came in through here… and took her away."

"But why?" Kyoka's brow furrowed in confusion. "The big guy said she was just an ordinary orphan. Who would kidnap her?"

Suddenly, a faint ringtone broke the tense silence. The melody, a sultry English pop song, rang from Midnight's phone.

"Midnight here," she answered. Kaminari and Kyoka exchanged uneasy glances, waiting as Midnight's expression shifted to one of shock.

"Midnight! There's been an incident!" A frantic voice roared through the speaker. "The police car transporting the 'Stone Man' was attacked! All officers and the prisoner have been killed!!"

"What?!" Midnight's eyes widened in disbelief, her voice sharp with alarm. Kaminari and Kyoka froze, the color draining from their faces.

Meanwhile, chaos erupted on a highway outside Saitama City. A police car lay overturned on the side of the road, flames licking at its mangled frame. Smoke and fire blurred the scene, painting a grim picture of destruction.

Far above the carnage, on the rooftop of a nearby building, a tall figure stood watching the inferno below. His voice was low as he murmured to himself, "Don't worry… I'll take good care of your daughter."

The man's eyes glinted with satisfaction as he gazed into the distance. "I came here intending to meet that boy, but it seems I've stumbled upon an even greater treasure…"

"Boss." A shadowy figure, draped in a black robe, emerged from behind him, holding an unconscious young girl in his arms.

"Oh? You're back," the tall man said, turning to inspect the child. His gaze lingered, and his lips curved into an unsettling smile.

"Interesting," he mused. "This child… Even after everything, she still holds onto a spark. From despair to hope, only to be plunged into despair again. Such fertile ground for hatred to bloom."

He crouched slightly, brushing a strand of hair from the girl's face. "Unlike Tomura Shigaraki, who was born twisted from the start, this girl's hatred is pure. A flower born of both despair and shattered hope."

To him, Youmei—or Tomomi, as she was called was an exceptional find. He believed that under his guidance, she could grow into something extraordinary.

"But first," he muttered, "let's test her Quirk. If it's inadequate… well, I can always replace it with something more useful."

He straightened, his gaze shifting toward the direction of Saitama Municipal General Hospital.

"And as for you… Kaminari Denki. You've given me far more surprises than I ever expected."

After witnessing Kaminari's battle with Todoroki Shoto, the man had delved into the boy's background, uncovering every detail he could. From his entrance exam to his training sessions, Kaminari's actions had been thoroughly scrutinized.

Particularly, the psychological tactics Kaminari had employed against Todoroki in their first combat exercise stood out, marking him as someone with exceptional potential.

"A genius walking a razor-thin line," the man said softly. "One misstep to the left or right, and he'll plunge into the abyss. Unless…"

He smirked. "Unless he keeps moving forward, unwavering."

Today, the man had come to Saitama City intending to meet Kaminari face-to-face. Not to capture him, of course merely to give him a little… push.

He wanted to see how far Kaminari could walk on that narrow path before finally falling. And when he did, the man planned to be there, waiting to catch him.

Though, if the opportunity arose… he wouldn't mind shaking that precarious bridge himself.

"It seems our meeting will have to wait, Kaminari-kun. But don't worry…" His gaze fell back to the girl in his subordinate's arms. "As for Tomomi-chan… you'll see her again."

His smile grew darker. "I just wonder… will it be as a partner? Or as an enemy?"

Chapter 132: The Single-Plank Bridge

"How… how could this happen?"

Kaminari, Kyoka, and Midnight stared in shock at the grotesque remains of the man who had once been the "Stone Man," now reduced to scattered, blackened chunks of molten rock on the cement highway.

"He was alive not even half an hour ago… and now this?"

The sight was hard to process. What was left of the man barely resembled anything human anymore, just steaming fragments of stone and ash littering the ground.

"But why? Why would someone attack him?" Kaminari muttered, struggling to make sense of it all. "He was just a homeless man! Even if someone hated him enough to kill him, why would they go this far?"

Kyoka stood quietly beside him, her expression heavy with sadness. "It's so cruel," she murmured. "For both him and his daughter… it's like fate never gave them a chance."

"Any leads?"

Midnight, her face uncharacteristically grim, turned to question a police officer standing nearby.

"None so far," the officer replied in frustration, shaking his head. "We checked the dashcam from the trailing car, but all we could see was some kind of invisible shockwave. It wiped out the police car in an instant. Then, the vehicle exploded."

"Show me the footage," Midnight demanded immediately.

"Understood."

The officer gave a quick nod and signaled to a subordinate, who brought over a laptop. Midnight leaned in to review the video.

"…That kind of power…"

Her pupils narrowed as she watched the scene unfold. Even without seeing the perpetrator, the sheer destructive force of the shockwave was undeniable. As a veteran Pro Hero, she could estimate just how devastating that level of attack was.

"A villain capable of this… and they're in Saitama City?"

Her heart sank. This wasn't a case of petty crime or random violence. This was the work of someone or something far more dangerous.

"We need to escalate this," she said sharply, turning back to the officer. "Send this footage to the Hero Public Safety Commission immediately. This is above our pay grade."

Then, she turned to Kaminari and Kyoka, who had been silently watching from behind. Midnight's expression softened slightly, though her tone remained firm.

"Your part in this is over," she said. "Go home. And don't forget you're expected to be at school tomorrow, business as usual."

Kaminari and Kyoka exchanged glances. Midnight wasn't just being stern; she was worried about them. And given the scale of what they'd just seen, her concern was understandable.

"All right," Kaminari said, nodding.

"Got it," Kyoka added.

Though Kaminari felt an ache of regret over the Stone Man's tragic death and Tomomi's disappearance, he knew there was nothing more he could do right now. He wasn't about to recklessly chase after villains, especially ones capable of wiping out police cars with a single attack.

Even so, the frustration lingered. He'd done everything he could, but the helplessness of the situation gnawed at him.

---

Twenty minutes later, Kaminari and Kyoka stood at the entrance to the subway station closest to the highway.

This time, perhaps because of the events weighing on his mind, Kaminari didn't hesitate to follow Kyoka into the station. He stayed until her Shinkansen arrived, watching as she boarded and waved goodbye through the window.

Once her train disappeared into the distance, Kaminari turned and left, walking back toward his apartment.

---

As he made his way home, the day's events replayed in Kaminari's mind, a tangled mess of unanswered questions.

"The whole thing… it's too strange," he thought. "None of it makes sense. Could it be that the Stone Man and Tomomi weren't just some random homeless man and orphan?"

His brow furrowed.

"And the timing… The attack on the police car and Tomomi's abduction happened almost simultaneously. That means this wasn't the work of just one villain, but a whole group. A team strong enough to pull off both crimes without leaving any obvious traces."

He considered the level of skill involved.

"Whoever attacked the police car must've had overwhelming power. And the one who kidnapped Tomomi… They managed to slip past hospital cameras and patrol Heroes without a trace. Could they have some kind of teleportation Quirk?"

His thoughts drifted back to the USJ incident. Two villains with teleportation abilities had appeared back then. Could this be connected?

"The League of Villains…" Kaminari murmured, stopping in his tracks.

---

He had arrived outside his apartment building. Looking up, he saw the soft glow of the lights in his window.

"It's not just a coincidence," he thought grimly. "If I keep moving forward, I'll inevitably cross paths with these people again."

Clenching his fists, Kaminari made a silent vow.

"I need to get stronger. Stronger in every possible way. Only then can I protect myself and the people I care about."

---

The Speculations of both Nezu and All For One are correct.

As someone from another world, Kaminari had no innate respect for the rules and norms of this one. Hero society, its systems, and its ideals none of it truly resonated with him.

But what kept him grounded was the life he had built here. His parents, his home these were the things he cherished.

It was because he valued his family that he hoped for a stable, peaceful society. And it was because he had that hope that he dreamed of becoming someone great.

Nezu and All For One had speculated about whether Kaminari would eventually stray from the Hero's path. But they were missing the point.

The path he walked didn't matter. What mattered was the bridge itself, the support that kept him moving forward.

If that support were ever taken from him, if the "bridge" beneath him were to collapse… he wouldn't simply fall. He would plunge into the abyss without hesitation.

Because without that bridge, he would have nothing left to hold onto.

"Wonderful," he'd once said, describing the kind of life he wanted to live. But there were many ways to define "wonderful."

As long as his family was safe, he would seek the kind of "wonderful" life that came with peace and stability. But if that was ever taken away… A life of chaos, vengeance, and destruction might feel just as "wonderful" to him.

Right now, his family was his single-plank bridge. And for their sake, he would continue walking forward.

Kaminari took a deep breath, forcing himself to shake off the gloom clouding his thoughts.

"No point in dragging all this negativity inside," he muttered.

By the time he reached the elevator, a familiar smile had returned to his face a little forced, perhaps, but still undeniably Kaminari.

He rode the elevator up to the sixteenth floor, stopping in front of door 1604. Placing his finger on the electronic lock, he heard the cheerful sound effect he'd chosen for it.

"Pika-pika-Chuuu!"

That welcoming Pikachu cry had been his latest addition.

"I'm back," he called as he opened the door, stepping into the warm light of his home.

Chapter 133: Unexpected Ranking

Sunday marked the start of a new school week at U.A. High.

"Look, it's Kaminari Denki!"

"I heard his new song dropped today, it's called Blue Bird, right?"

"He's not just handsome, he's smart, strong, and a great singer too. He's perfect! I wish he were my boyfriend!"

"Kaminari is mine! I love him so much!"

As Kaminari and Tetsutetsu rode the Shinkansen to Shizuoka City for school, excited murmurs and fangirl squeals filled the train. The two couldn't even hold a proper conversation amidst the commotion.

"Kaminari, you're way more famous now than you used to be," Tetsutetsu said, looking around at the excited girls. "Just look at them."

Kaminari shrugged lightly, flashing his usual relaxed smile. "You're not exactly invisible either, you know. People talk about you online all the time. Search your name if you don't believe me."

He gestured casually. "It's just that you're with me right now, so it doesn't feel like it. Trust me, once we're back in the classroom, our classmates will probably be all over you, talking about how popular you were."

Sure enough, as Kaminari and Tetsutetsu approached the classroom, they could already hear lively chatter from inside. Kyoka, Momo, Ashido, Midoriya, and others were all discussing the two of them animatedly.

"Good morning!" Kaminari called out, stepping into the room with a smile. His greeting was immediately echoed by the rest of the class.

"It looks like everyone's fully recovered," Kaminari said, hanging his bag on the hook beside his desk and glancing at his classmates.

"Yeah!" Ashido grinned, stretching her arms above her head. "Recovery Girl patched us up right after the festival. And as for mental recovery, all we needed was a good night's sleep!"

"Speaking of recovery…" Mineta suddenly cut in, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "How many girls hit on you today?"

The abrupt question drew amused chuckles from some of the others.

"A lot of girls came up to me this morning!" Mineta added, puffing out his chest proudly.

Kirishima tilted his head in confusion. "Wait, you got approached? But you didn't even make it to the one-on-one matches, right?"

"Yeah, so what?" Mineta said, standing taller. "All I had to do was casually drop my identity while they were talking about the sports festival."

"Identity?" Uraraka Ochako asked curiously. "What do you mean?"

Mineta grinned smugly. "I told them I'm a U.A. student and a participant in the sports festival! As soon as I said that, bam, instant popularity!"

His grin widened as he continued, clearly relishing the attention. "The girls were all over me, asking questions, super excited! It was the first time I've ever been surrounded by so many girls!"

But then his expression faltered, turning sheepish. "…Though, uh, most of them just wanted to know about Kaminari and Todoroki."

A silence fell over the room. Kirishima, Uraraka, and Midoriya all exchanged awkward glances. Finally, Kyoka pulled out her phone, opened the class LINE group chat, and showed it to Mineta.

"Hey, 'Grape,' why don't you just quit the group?" she said flatly, holding up the screen for him to see.

Mineta froze, speechless.

---

Amidst the teasing, no one noticed the unusually quiet presence of Iida Tenya. Sitting in the corner, the usually uptight class rep was uncharacteristically subdued, his head bowed in silence. Normally, he'd be the first to call for order and insist everyone take their seats.

But today, he didn't move or say a word.

---

The sound of the door sliding open drew everyone's attention. Standing at the entrance was their homeroom teacher, Aizawa Shouta.

"Good morning," he said simply, stepping inside.

"Good morning, sir!" the class replied, their voices loud and synchronized.

In an instant, the students scrambled back to their seats, sitting up straight with serious expressions. Kaminari watched the scene with faint amusement.

Asui Tsuyu was the first to notice something different about their teacher. "Hey, Mr. Aizawa, you've taken off your bandages. That's great!"

"It's not a big deal," Aizawa replied, his tone indifferent. "Recovery Girl just overdid it with the bandaging."

Without wasting any more time, he placed a finger against the remote control in his hand and continued, "Let's move on to today's topic. It's part of your Hero Information Science course, and it's… a bit special."

The word "special" immediately grabbed everyone's attention.

"Special?" Kirishima wondered nervously. "Is it going to be some kind of quiz? Or maybe laws and regulations about Hero work? Ugh, that stuff always gives me a headache…"

But then, Aizawa's next words set the room buzzing with excitement.

"It's time to think about your Hero names."

"WHAT?!"

The room exploded with energy. For most of the students, this was a moment they had dreamed of since childhood, choosing their official Hero names.

They'd spent years imagining this day, testing out names in their heads, and now it was finally happening.

---

"Settle down," Aizawa said, his red eyes glowing ominously as his bangs floated with an eerie energy.

The classroom went dead silent. Even Kaminari, who'd seen Aizawa's "look" plenty of times, couldn't help but wonder if his teacher's Quirk had a subtle mental effect. Or was this just an intimidating side-effect of Erasure?

"Now then," Aizawa continued, "this ties directly into the Professional Hero Recruitment Applications I mentioned before."

He pressed the remote, revealing a chart filled with text and numbers on the blackboard behind him.

"These applications won't officially take effect until you've proven yourselves as combat-ready in your second or third year. For now, it's more about Heroes showing interest in your future potential."

He paused briefly before adding, "That said, if that interest fades before you graduate, it's not uncommon for those applications to be withdrawn."

Toru Hagakure raised her hand. "So, basically, the applications are a form of pressure on us, right?"

"Exactly," Aizawa replied matter-of-factly.

Turning to the chart behind him, he gestured at the data displayed on the board.

"Now, these are the application results the school has compiled so far."

---

Hero Recruitment Applications – Class 1-A

Kaminari Denki: 6,589

Shoto Todoroki: 4,123

Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu: 3,262

Katsuki Bakugo: 1,562

Fumikage Tokoyami: 1,025

Izuku Midoriya: 356

Tenya Iida: 342

Others: 168 or below

---

"Wow…"

The students stared at the numbers in shock. Aizawa, unfazed, continued, "Compared to previous years, this year's applications are heavily concentrated at the top."

"Wait," Kirishima said, puzzled. "Why are Kaminari and Todoroki so far ahead of Tetsutetsu, who placed first in the finals? Isn't the ranking supposed to determine applications?"

Chapter 134: Career Choice

"These are the results, but regardless of whether you received any applications or not, everyone will participate in what's called a workstudy experience," Aizawa announced, standing at the podium with his usual no-nonsense expression.

"Workstudy experience?" Midoriya repeated, tilting his head in confusion.

"That's right," Aizawa replied. "After the USJ incident, you've already had a taste of real combat against villains, earlier than most students ever do. But the school still wants you to gain a broader understanding of what it means to be a professional Hero, beyond just fighting."

The room was filled with thoughtful silence for a moment before Tetsutetsu clenched his fists and grinned. "Does this mean it's time to choose our Hero names? Because I've already decided mine!"

"That makes it even more exciting!" Uraraka cheered, raising her hands with enthusiasm.

"While the Hero names you choose now are only tentative," Aizawa continued, his tone deadpan, "I hope no one picks something ridiculous—"

Bang!

Before Aizawa could finish his sentence, the classroom door swung open dramatically, drawing everyone's attention.

"I'll make sure no one picks a stupid name!"

It was none other than the R-Rated Hero, Midnight, stepping in with her signature theatrical flair.

"Whoa, it's Midnight-sensei!"

The students' reactions varied wildly, ranging from awe to visible discomfort, though one person in particular, Mineta, was practically vibrating in his seat. His eyes weren't exactly on her face…

"After all, plenty of Heroes end up sticking with the names they come up with during their student years. Those names could become your professional identities, recognized worldwide," Midnight said, walking with exaggerated elegance, her figure exaggeratedly outlined by every step.

As she struck a pose, her words nearly turned Mineta into a fountain of blood.

Kaminari, seated near the back, instinctively glanced at Kyoka sitting next to him. For some reason, the sight of her rolling her eyes brought him a small sense of relief.

"At least there wasn't much trouble after we left," Kaminari thought silently, thinking back to the events of the previous day.

"Now then," Aizawa continued, "Midnight will help judge your sense of taste when it comes to naming. I don't care much for this topic."

He paused, pulling a familiar yellow sleeping bag from under the podium. "Think carefully about what kind of Hero you want to be. Your name will help shape how others see you, and it's a commitment to the person you want to become."

And with that, Aizawa lay down inside the sleeping bag on the floor and promptly closed his eyes, leaving the students stunned.

"…This guy," Kaminari muttered, his face darkening. The sight of a teacher sleeping on the job was surreal, even for U.A. "This really is another world. What kind of teacher would dare to do this in my previous life?"

---

Soon, a stack of whiteboards was passed around the classroom, eventually reaching Kaminari. He picked one up and handed the last to Tetsutetsu behind him.

"Take your time," Midnight said cheerfully. "After all, this name could impact your future."

"Take time? No way!" Tetsutetsu said confidently, immediately grabbing a marker and scribbling something down.

Kaminari smirked lightly at his classmate's enthusiasm. "Well, I already know what I want too," he thought, picking up his marker.

Without much deliberation, he wrote two kanji characters on his board: 雷影 (Raikage).

He'd briefly considered longer names like "The First Raikage" or even "Thunder God," but dismissed them for now. The former was too formal, and the latter felt like an overly ambitious title he wasn't quite ready to claim.

Still, the name "Raikiri" had already become tied to him after his match against Todoroki, appearing in news headlines and online discussions. As for "Thunder God"… Well, maybe one day. When he was truly strong enough, he hoped the world would grant him that title on its own.

---

Ten minutes passed quickly.

"Time's up!" Midnight announced with a grin. "Let's start sharing your names with the class!"

"Wait, we have to say them out loud?!" Kirishima blurted, his voice a mix of surprise and nervousness.

"That takes guts!" Sero added, looking equally shocked.

Kaminari stood up first, his expression calm and composed as he walked to the podium. The room fell silent, all eyes on him.

"Although I've mentioned this name before, I'd like to officially present it to everyone now," Kaminari said, placing his whiteboard on the podium.

The bold characters written on it gleamed under the classroom lights: 雷影 (Raikage).

"Thunder Hero, Raikage!" Kaminari announced confidently. "The path of thunder and lightning follows me like a shadow, which is what this name signifies. It also reflects my lightning-fast fighting style."

"Cool name!" one of his classmates whispered, and Midnight clapped enthusiastically.

"That's a strong start, Kaminari-kun! Well done!" Midnight praised, her applause spreading energy through the classroom.

---

"Alright, my turn!"

As Kaminari stepped down, Tetsutetsu marched up to the podium, his whiteboard held high.

"Steel Hero, Colossus!"

Midnight nodded approvingly. "Very fitting! It gives off a strong, reliable vibe, just like you!"

Inspired, Kirishima immediately stood up next.

"Strong Hero, Red Riot!" he declared, his whiteboard proudly displayed.

"Red Riot," Midnight repeated, smiling warmly. "A clear tribute to Crimson Riot, isn't it? A great senior Hero."

Kirishima nodded, brushing his hand through his bright red hair. "Exactly! Crimson Riot has always been my inspiration. I want to carry on his legacy as a hardcore Hero!"

"You'll need to carry the weight of that name," Midnight reminded him.

"I'm ready for it!" Kirishima grinned, clenching his fists with determination.

---

As more students presented their names, Kaminari noticed some interesting choices. Iida and Todoroki opted to use their real names, keeping things simple. Midoriya surprised everyone by choosing "Deku," a nickname that once meant "useless" but now symbolized his determination.

As for Bakugo…

"You can't use that," Midnight said bluntly, glaring at the name "King Explosion Murder" on Bakugo's whiteboard. "That's completely inappropriate as a Hero name."

"Fine!" Bakugo snapped, crossing his arms with a scowl.

"How about Explosion Hero: Nuclear Blast?" Kaminari suggested casually.

Bakugo blinked, caught off guard. Despite his dislike for Kaminari, the more he thought about the name, the more he liked it.

"That's… not bad," he admitted.

Midnight's expression darkened. "No. Absolutely not."

---

The bell rang soon after, and Midnight collected everyone's whiteboards before leaving the classroom.

"Alright, now that you've all decided on Hero names, let's return to the topic of workplace experience," Aizawa said, standing at the podium once again, seemingly refreshed from his nap.

"It will last for one week. Students who received offers will get a list of agencies to choose from. Those without offers will be assigned to one of forty agencies the school has partnered with."

"Make your decisions carefully," he concluded, dismissing the class.

---

Kaminari looked down at the stack of agency offers on his desk, the sheer number overwhelming.

"So many…" he muttered, flipping through them.

Still, he wasn't too worried. He already had a few agencies in mind and just needed to see if they were on the list.

"When there are this many options," he thought, "it's all about picking the right one."

Chapter 135: Four Choices

By 7:30 in the evening, Kaminari had just returned home, feeling a bit drained after a long day. He had spent an hour studying electromagnetics at Momo's house after school, and while he found the session productive, the effort had left him a little weary.

During dinner with his parents, his father brought up some exciting news.

"'Blue Bird,' the song you released today, is already a huge success!" his father said with a wide grin.

"Really?" Kaminari's face lit up, his tiredness briefly forgotten.

"It's already ranked seventh on the Japanese MTV popularity list, and judging by the current momentum, it might even break into the top three by the end of the week."

"That's amazing," Kaminari replied, genuinely happy with the results.

"And that's not all," his father continued, pouring himself a glass of soju to celebrate. "Since this afternoon, we've had people reaching out to license the song for covers and broadcasts. There's even a language school called 'Aozora' that wants to use it as their school song!"

As his father took a hearty sip of soju, clearly in high spirits, Kaminari felt a swell of pride. However, he had other pressing matters on his mind tonight, so he didn't linger in the living room. After finishing dinner, he excused himself and went back to his room.

---

"Hoo... Okay, let's see which 'big shots' want me!"

Kaminari exhaled as he sat down at his desk. He was dressed in a bright yellow Pikachu onesie, complete with a hood featuring Pikachu's face and ears. The one-piece pajama was undeniably cute, though Kaminari would probably deny it if anyone else pointed that out.

Turning his attention to the task at hand, Kaminari focused on the stack of workplace invitations in front of him. Over 6,000 agencies had expressed interest in him, an overwhelming number to go through in detail.

To simplify the process, he decided to narrow his search to the top twenty professional Heroes on the Hero Billboard Chart. Even with this filter, it still took him over thirty minutes to sort through the names and find their invitations amidst the sea of papers.

Eventually, Kaminari had a dozen cards left on his desk. He began scanning the names one by one.

Gravel Hero, Snatch – Ranked 17th

BMI Hero, Fat Gum – Ranked 15th

Foreshadowing Hero, Sir Nighteye – Ranked 13th

Forest Hero, Kamui Woods – Ranked 11th

Orca Hero, Gang Orca – Ranked 10th

Dragon Hero, Ryukyu – Ranked 9th

Full Hero, Yoroi Musha – Ranked 8th

Shield Hero, Crust – Ranked 5th

Rabbit Hero, Mirko – Ranked 6th

Ninja Hero, Edgeshot – Ranked 5th

Fiber Hero, Best Jeanist – Ranked 4th

Wing Hero, Hawks – Ranked 3rd

However, his expression darkened slightly when his eyes landed on the final card.

Flame Hero, Endeavor – Ranked 2nd

Kaminari raised an eyebrow, frowning in confusion. "What is Endeavor even thinking? Why would he invite me, the guy who almost beat his son to a pulp during the sports festival?"

Shaking his head, he set Endeavor's card aside. "Yeah, no. Not happening. I wouldn't have chosen him anyway, but even if I had, his style isn't a good fit for me."

For Kaminari, the purpose of this workplace experience was to learn specifically, to refine his fighting style and gain valuable combat insights. While Endeavor was undeniably powerful, Kaminari doubted he'd benefit much from his instruction.

"I need someone who can teach me advanced physical techniques that match my speed and fighting style. That rules him out completely."

With that, Kaminari moved Endeavor's card, along with the invitations from Kamui Woods and Fat Gum, back into the pile of over 6,000.

---

Next, he eliminated a few more based on their combat focus.

"Alright," he muttered, pulling out more cards. "Snatch, Mirko, Gang Orca, Ryukyu, and Crust—they're all amazing Heroes, but their styles don't really align with what I'm looking for. I need agility, speed, and precision. Fast-attacking Heroes who can teach me something new."

Soon, four more cards were set aside, leaving Kaminari with a smaller, more manageable pile. He turned his attention to the remaining invitations.

Armored Hero, Yoroi Musha – Ranked 8th

Ninja Hero, Edgeshot – Ranked 5th

Fiber Hero, Best Jeanist – Ranked 4th

Wing Hero, Hawks – Ranked 3rd

He paused for a moment, picking up Yoroi Musha's invitation.

"His style is pretty different from mine, but his mastery of Japanese swordsmanship and ancient martial arts is incredible. That could be worth learning..."

After some thought, Kaminari set the card aside in a "maybe" pile.

---

Moving on to the others, Kaminari began weighing the pros and cons.

"Edgeshot's speed and precision are phenomenal. His techniques could definitely complement my fighting style. But…" he trailed off, considering whether ninjutsu was something he could fully incorporate into his own abilities.

"Best Jeanist," he continued, "is another great option. His attention to detail and precise control are unmatched. I could learn a lot about battlefield awareness and discipline from him."

Finally, Kaminari picked up Hawks' card.

"This guy," he muttered. "He's in his twenties and already ranked third in the entire country. A genius, no doubt about it. His agility and tactical thinking are on another level…"

The more he thought about it, the harder the decision became. Each Hero had something unique to offer, and choosing between them felt like an impossible task.

---

By the time Kaminari glanced at the clock, it was already 9:00 PM. Letting out a long sigh, he leaned back in his chair.

"This is going to take more time," he admitted to himself. "Luckily, I still have a few days to decide. I'll look into their records more carefully and see if anything stands out."

As he stared at the four remaining cards, another thought came to mind.

"Actually… what about Aizawa-sensei?" Kaminari muttered, recalling how effortlessly their homeroom teacher had handled dozens of villains during the USJ attack. His calm demeanor and practical combat style had left a lasting impression.

"Maybe I should ask him for advice. He might have some insight on which agency would be the best fit for me."

Rubbing the back of his neck, Kaminari chuckled lightly. "Man, this is tough… Who should I choose?"

(Can you guess which Agency he'll end up picking?)

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 136: It's Ready

The next day, during lunch break.

"Hey, have you guys decided which Hero agency you're going to?" Ashido Mina asked, slumping over her desk in mild frustration.

"Decided? What's there to decide for someone like me who didn't get a single invitation?" Aoyama replied dramatically, throwing his head back with an exaggerated sigh. "I'll just go wherever the school assigns me!"

His tone was so bitter it made everyone glance at him awkwardly. He had been sulking ever since the results were announced.

"You really don't have much vision, do you?"

"Same here," Ojiro added sheepishly, rubbing his nose.

Ashido turned her attention back to the table of students who had received invitations. "What about you guys?" she asked, a faint trace of envy flashing in her eyes.

It was hard not to feel disappointed. She'd put up a decent showing at the Sports Festival, so why hadn't she gotten even a single invitation?

"I'm going to Mt. Lady's agency!" Mineta Minoru suddenly piped up, his chest puffed out with pride.

Everyone turned to him in shock.

"You got an invitation? No way! You weren't even on the rankings yesterday!" Kyoka asked, staring at him in disbelief.

"Hehehe, after I got home, the school contacted me and told me I had an invite!" Mineta said smugly, his mind already filled with questionable fantasies. "And it's from the super-sexy Ms. Mt. Lady herself…"

The room fell silent as everyone stared at him with flat, unimpressed expressions. Without a word, they collectively decided to steer the conversation away from Mineta.

---

"When it comes to choices, Kaminari and Todoroki had the most invitations," Momo remarked, looking at the two of them curiously. "Have you both decided?"

"No," Kaminari replied, letting out a helpless sigh. "I've narrowed it down, but there are still too many good options. I'll probably ask Aizawa-sensei for advice after school."

"No," Todoroki added simply, his tone cold and detached.

"This is what they call 'a good problem to have,'" Tokoyami commented quietly.

Kaminari raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Does that mean you've already decided?"

Tokoyami nodded. "I submitted my choice to Aizawa-sensei this morning."

"Which agency did you choose?" Midoriya asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Hawks' agency," Tokoyami replied in his usual calm, mysterious tone.

"Hawks?! The third-ranked Hero?!" Midoriya exclaimed, eyes widening in amazement.

"Wow, that's incredible," Ashido said, looking at Tokoyami with open admiration.

---

While the others marveled at Tokoyami's choice, Kaminari fell silent, a subtle frown forming on his face. "I thought Hawks' invitation was exclusive," he thought to himself.

Suppressing his doubts, he decided to shift the conversation toward his friends. "What about you, Tetsutetsu? And you, Momo?"

Tetsutetsu grinned. "My choice is simple—I'm going to train with my judo teacher, Daimon Goro!"

"Wait, Daimon-sensei is a professional Hero?" Kaminari asked, surprised.

"Yeah, I didn't know either!" Tetsutetsu admitted with a laugh. "But yesterday, he pulled out this old, dusty Hero license from his desk. Turns out, he's the real deal!"

"Interesting," Kaminari said with a nod before turning to Momo.

"I haven't decided yet," she said thoughtfully, resting her chin on her arm. "I'm stuck between Snake Hero and Ryukyu."

"Ryukyu is ranked higher, right?" Kyoka pointed out.

"That's true," Momo replied. "But Ms. Uwabami has her strengths too. Both are great options."

---

As the discussion continued, most students revealed their choices. Uraraka had decided to go with the "Fighting Hero, Gunhead Agency," while Bakugo had chosen the "Fiber Hero, Best Jeanist Agency."

Kaminari couldn't help but chuckle when he heard that Koda Koji, the classmate with the least presence, was heading to an obscure zoo called "Encounter with Demons." It wasn't a well-known agency, but the environment seemed perfectly suited to Koda's Quirk.

---

After school, Kaminari stayed behind to meet with Aizawa. The two spoke privately in the teacher's office for about ten minutes before Kaminari finally emerged, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"I didn't expect Aizawa-sensei to recommend him..." he muttered to himself as he joined Tetsutetsu at the school gates.

---

As they walked home together, Kaminari remembered something important.

"Oh, right my new combat uniform!" he exclaimed suddenly. "I almost forgot that we'll be using them for the workplace experience."

Pulling out his phone, he quickly scrolled through his recent call history until he found the contact he was looking for.

"Got it!" Kaminari grinned, dialing the number.

The phone rang twice before a familiar voice answered.

"Moshi moshi?"

"Hey, it's Kaminari Denki. I wanted to check in about the combat uniform."

"Ah! Mr. Kaminari! Finally, I was wondering when you'd call!"

"Sorry about that," Kaminari said, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "Things have been a bit hectic lately."

"It's no problem! Do you have time to come by now?"

Kaminari glanced at Tetsutetsu, then lowered his phone slightly. "Hey, want to come with me? You can check on your own uniform while we're there."

"Sure," Tetsutetsu replied, nodding. "Let me call Daimon-sensei and let him know."

"Tell him it's the Mitsui Consortium," Kaminari added. "They're the ones making the uniforms."

Tetsutetsu's eyes widened slightly. "The Mitsui Consortium? No way, that's huge!"

After getting the green light from Daimon, Tetsutetsu gave Kaminari a thumbs-up. "I'm good to go."

Kaminari turned his attention back to the phone. "Alright, we're heading over now. Can you send me the address?"

"On its way!"

Moments later, Kaminari received a text with the location.

"Huh, it's closer than I thought," Kaminari said, scanning the address.

"Let me see," Tetsutetsu said, leaning over. "Shiganshina District? Yeah, that's not far at all!"

"Then what are we waiting for?" Kaminari said with a grin. "Let's go check it out!"

---

As they walked toward the address, Kaminari's excitement grew. He couldn't wait to see the final result of the ideas he'd sent to the Mitsui Consortium. If everything went as planned, his combat uniform wouldn't just be a suit, it would be a game-changing tool in battle.

But what he didn't know was that the Mitsui Consortium had prepared something far beyond his expectations. This new suit would become one of the most important tools in his Hero career, a partner he could rely on for years to come.

Chapter 137: The Legendary Grandpa

Shimizu Ward.

Kaminari and Tetsutetsu stood side by side, staring at the two-story building in front of them, their expressions caught somewhere between disbelief and skepticism.

"Hey, Kaminari… this is the headquarters of the Mitsui Group's support company?" Tetsutetsu asked doubtfully, his gaze sweeping over the small, unassuming building.

"It… should be," Kaminari replied hesitantly, pointing at the sign hanging between the first and second floors. "It says so right there, doesn't it?"

"But can a place this small really produce top-quality combat uniforms?"

To be honest, Tetsutetsu was starting to wonder if Kaminari had been scammed. However, out of respect for his friend, he kept his suspicions to himself.

Kaminari sighed. "Let's just go inside and see for ourselves."

---

"Ding."

The moment Kaminari reached for what appeared to be a traditional Japanese wooden sliding door, an automated female voice suddenly spoke.

"Identity confirmed. Welcome."

"Shua—"

The 'wooden door' slid open smoothly, revealing a sleek, modern entrance.

"Whoa. The contrast here is… kind of insane," Kaminari muttered as he stepped inside, his earlier doubts melting away.

The interior was nothing like the humble exterior. The room was outfitted with high-tech equipment, sleek furniture, and bright, polished surfaces that wouldn't have looked out of place in a futuristic research lab.

"Shua—"

The door closed automatically behind him, but when Kaminari turned around, he realized something was wrong.

"Tetsutetsu?" he called, noticing his friend hadn't made it inside.

"Uh… the door just closed on me!" Tetsutetsu shouted from outside, clearly confused.

Before Kaminari could react, the same automated voice responded.

"Basic access granted."

The door slid open again, allowing Tetsutetsu to finally step in.

"What just happened?" Tetsutetsu asked, looking around in bewilderment.

Kaminari glanced at the door, then back at the high-tech room. "I don't know, but… this place is full of surprises."

---

"Welcome, Kaminari-kun."

The sudden voice startled both boys. They turned to see a tall woman in a tailored OL-style suit walking toward them. She had a professional, polished air, with an intellectual sharpness in her gaze.

"You're the one who contacted me, right?" Kaminari asked, quickly recognizing her voice.

"Yes," the woman said with a polite bow. "My name is Eguro Akemi. I'll be your guide today. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too," Kaminari replied, returning the bow. "But before we get started… could you let my friend in properly next time?" He gestured to Tetsutetsu, who still looked a little flustered.

Akemi hesitated briefly before nodding. "Of course. Sadako, please grant Tetsutetsu basic access."

"Understood."

The door closed behind them, and Akemi turned with a polite smile. "Now, if you'll follow me, I'll take you to the development area."

---

As they walked, Kaminari and Tetsutetsu couldn't help but notice the curious mix of office spaces and high-tech features around them. The pristine white walls and polished floors gave off an almost clinical vibe.

"Is this place really just for making combat uniforms?" Tetsutetsu asked, his eyes darting around.

"Not quite," Akemi replied. "This facility handles a variety of advanced research and development projects. But you'll see soon enough."

She led them to a blank white wall. Without warning, the automated voice spoke again.

"Identity confirmed."

"Shua—"

The wall split apart, revealing what looked like a small elevator.

"Please step inside," Akemi said, gesturing for them to enter.

"Is this… an elevator?" Tetsutetsu asked, glancing around.

"No," Kaminari said, his brow furrowing. "This is going underground, isn't it?"

Akemi nodded with a small smile. "That's correct. The equipment development area is located several levels below ground."

"Underground?" Tetsutetsu's eyes widened. "This feels like something out of a sci-fi movie!"

---

When the elevator doors reopened, Kaminari and Tetsutetsu were left speechless.

"Whoa…" Tetsutetsu whispered in awe.

The underground facility was enormous. Glass partitions divided the space into countless sections, each one bustling with researchers in white coats working diligently at various high-tech instruments. The faint hum of machinery filled the air, and the soft glow of monitors and consoles illuminated the area.

"This… this is insane," Kaminari muttered. The sheer scale and sophistication of the facility made it feel like they'd stepped into another world.

"Follow me," Akemi said, leading them through the maze of corridors.

As they walked, Kaminari couldn't help but marvel at the seemingly endless expanse of the underground complex.

"How big is this place?" he wondered aloud.

Akemi smiled. "Big enough."

---

After several minutes of walking, they finally arrived at a set of glass doors that were noticeably larger than the others they had passed.

"This is the main lab," Akemi explained. "Please go inside. I'll wait here."

"Thanks," Kaminari said, stepping through the doors with Tetsutetsu close behind.

The moment they entered, the glass doors closed behind them. Before they could say anything, a dozen researchers in white coats turned to look at them. Their intense, scrutinizing gazes made both Kaminari and Tetsutetsu feel a little uneasy.

"Uh…" Tetsutetsu started to say, but he was interrupted by the arrival of an elderly man.

"Kaminari-kun, we finally meet!"

The old man stepped forward with a warm smile, followed closely by a younger man in a white coat wearing light blue glasses.

"You are…?" Kaminari asked, narrowing his eyes in confusion. The man looked vaguely familiar.

"You don't recognize me?" the old man said, chuckling. "Let me give you a hint. One morning in Omiya Park…"

Omiya Park? Kaminari's eyes widened as the memory hit him.

"You're the old man who had a cardiac arrest!"

"Exactly!" the man said with a hearty laugh. "I was wondering if you'd remember me."

---

Kaminari stared at the old man in shock. "But… what are you doing here? Is this place part of the Mitsui Group?"

The old man's warm smile shifted slightly as he straightened his posture.

"Allow me to formally introduce myself," he said, his tone now carrying the weight of authority. "I am Mitsui Buntais, the former head of the Mitsui Consortium and the current patriarch of the Mitsui family."

For a moment, Kaminari and Tetsutetsu could only stand there, stunned. The old man's aura shifted briefly, exuding a commanding presence that left no doubt about his position.

But just as quickly as it appeared, the intimidating aura vanished, replaced by his previous warmth.

"Well, how does it feel?" Mitsui asked, smiling mischievously. "Like you've won the lottery?"

Kaminari blinked, struggling to process what had just happened. Tetsutetsu, meanwhile, looked like he was about to faint.

Chapter 138: Golden Robe

"You've got to be kidding me. Forget Japan, what lottery in the world could possibly have stakes this high?"

Kaminari raised his hand with a wry smile, the absurdity of the situation sinking in. He immediately recalled the abrupt announcement about a replacement support company.

"So… it turns out this was the reason behind the sudden change, huh? My new battle suit must've come from this."

"Hahahaha!"

Hearing Kaminari's sharp observation and lack of complaints, Buntais burst into hearty laughter once more. Truth be told, it had been ages since he'd laughed so openly and joyfully.

"Alright, alright. I'm sure you're eager to see the suit by now. But first, let me introduce someone important to you."

Mitsui gestured towards the man standing behind him in a crisp white lab coat.

"This is Dr. Tenma, the lead developer for the Mitsui Group's support equipment division. And the one who personally designed your combat uniform!"

"Thank you so much for your hard work, Dr. Tenma!" Kaminari said sincerely, bowing deeply.

The doctor smirked slightly and replied, "Kid, this battle suit of yours is the most satisfying creation I've worked on in decades. If anything, I should be thanking you for showing up and giving me the opportunity."

There was an unspoken depth to Dr. Tenma's words. He glanced at Kaminari thoughtfully, his expression betraying a mix of admiration and concern. Deep down, he mused to himself: This suit is a double-edged sword for you. Whether it will be your greatest asset or your downfall remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Kaminari turned toward Dr. Tenma with a hopeful expression. "By the way, could I ask you to make a combat uniform for Tetsutetsu as well?" He gestured to his steel-clad friend beside him. "We'll cover all the costs, of course, and I'll take responsibility for the design."

"This…"

Dr. Tenma hesitated, glancing briefly at Mitsui. It was a matter of policy; they didn't just casually make custom combat uniforms for anyone.

"Haha! You must be Tetsutetsu," Mitsui said kindly, his piercing gaze softening. "I heard about your performance at the Hero Sports Festival. But what impressed me the most wasn't your ranking, it was your roar at the end. A bold declaration of spirit! You seem like a dependable friend."

"So…" Kaminari pressed, looking at Mitsui with anticipation.

"Haha, alright. I'll approve it on Dr. Tenma's behalf," Mitsui declared with a grin. "But we're still running a business here, so I can't waive the fees. However, I'll give you a 10% discount for your friend's sake."

Kaminari exhaled in relief and nudged Tetsutetsu with his shoulder. "Looks like you're getting yourself a top-tier battle suit!"

"Hehehe," Tetsutetsu chuckled awkwardly, scratching his head. "Thanks, Kaminari. And thank you, Mitsui-sama!"

"Alright, let's get to the main event!" Dr. Tenma interrupted, his tone suddenly brimming with confidence. "I'll show you the suit now. I guarantee you'll be blown away."

---

With that, Dr. Tenma led the group into the inner section of the lab.

Shua—

The glass door behind them closed with a faint sound, sealing them off from the rest of the facility.

"What is that?!"

Kaminari and Tetsutetsu's eyes widened in awe as they caught sight of the centerpiece within the room.

Suspended mid-air in a transparent, cylindrical display case was an intricate combat uniform glowing faintly with golden light. The sleek fabric shimmered like molten gold, and dark golden flame patterns adorned the hem.

Tetsutetsu, unable to contain himself, muttered, "This… is beautiful…"

"Yeah," Kaminari agreed, nodding slowly as he stared at the radiant suit.

The suit revolved slowly in its display case, allowing every detail to come into view. On the back of the robe, five bold characters were emblazoned vertically in dark gold: The First Raikage.

"It's like something out of a legend…" Kaminari murmured to himself. But deep down, a small worry nagged at him. "Isn't this… a bit too flashy for a Hero's uniform?"

Dr. Tenma walked up to the display case and began speaking with barely-contained enthusiasm. "This, my friends, is the culmination of cutting-edge materials science. The combat uniform is made of 'SIS memory alloy.'"

"SIS memory alloy is a 'super shape-memory alloy' synthesized by fusing hundreds of metals and non-metal substances with an infusion of unique memory factors collected from off-world sources."

"It may only be as hard as steel structurally, but its plasticity is leagues beyond anything found on Earth!"

Dr. Tenma's eyes sparkled as he continued, "What's more, this alloy can perfectly respond to electrical signals, allowing it to adapt and reshape itself in real-time! We've embedded an artificial intelligence chip and countless nanoscale electronic components within the fabric."

Pausing for breath, he added, "I could spend hours talking about the intricate manufacturing process, but… I'll spare you the lecture."

Mitsui waved dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. Spare us the jargon and skip to the important stuff! Speak plainly so we can all understand, will you?"

Dr. Tenma blinked, clearly flustered by the interruption. It wasn't every day he was cut off so bluntly. "Alright, alright," he said sheepishly. "In simpler terms, this is a smart combat uniform with adaptive functionality. It can currently switch between two primary modes, but if you come up with any new ideas later, we can add more."

"It also comes with a host of auxiliary features designed for Hero work—communication systems, networking capabilities, energy charging functions, emergency first aid, and advanced protective measures."

Dr. Tenma smiled, pointing toward the display case. "The suit is powered by the energy storage crystal you provided, which serves as the core energy source. Unless you do something ridiculous, it should last a long time without needing a recharge."

Kaminari and Tetsutetsu were left speechless. The sheer sophistication of the suit was overwhelming.

"How is this even real…?" Tetsutetsu mumbled in awe.

"I… can I try it on?" Kaminari asked hesitantly, his voice tinged with nervous excitement.

"Of course!" Dr. Tenma replied without hesitation. "We'll need to bind it to your identity and run a few calibration tests anyway. If there are any issues, we can make adjustments immediately."

Turning to the side, he issued a command: "Sadako, lower the isolation chamber."

"Understood, Dr. Tenma."

The display case began to lower slowly, the golden glow of the suit reflecting off the glass as it descended.

"The glow… it's real," Kaminari muttered, taking a deep breath as he stepped forward. The radiance of the suit felt almost surreal up close.

"So… how do I…?" Kaminari hesitated, looking at the suit. It didn't move or respond, leaving him unsure of how to proceed. He turned to Dr. Tenma for guidance.

The doctor raised an eyebrow, his lips twitching into a smirk. "What do you mean 'how'? You put it on. Did you think it was going to jump onto you by itself?"

"Ah… right…"

Chapter 139: Battle Mode, Start!

A strand of black thread lightly brushed against Kaminari's head as he pulled on the robe, only to hear Mitsui Buntais laughing uproariously behind him, accompanied by the barely-contained chuckles of Tetsutetsu.

"This is so embarrassing…" Kaminari muttered, his face flushed.

Shaking off his hesitation, he reached out and grabbed a corner of the suit. Surprisingly, the texture beneath his fingertips wasn't cold like metal, but soft and smooth, almost like a fine silk fiber. [IMG]

"Huh? This doesn't feel like armor at all," he muttered, a hint of surprise coloring his voice.

In no time, Kaminari had slipped the suit on. Before he could find a mirror to admire himself in his new combat uniform, a faint tingling sensation suddenly spread along his arm.

"DNA recording complete."

A neutral, automated voice spoke directly into his ears.

"First meeting, partner! Please give me a name."

"The clothes… spoke?" Kaminari froze for a moment before remembering Dr. Tenma's earlier explanation about the suit's built-in AI system.

"A name, huh?" Kaminari rubbed his chin thoughtfully. For some reason, the situation reminded him of the cheesy tropes he'd read about in online novels, where the protagonist always received some kind of system or overpowered gadget.

"Alright, let's go with… Pikachu."

"Pikachu—!"

To his astonishment, the AI instantly responded with a perfect imitation of Pikachu's iconic cry, so lifelike it felt like the little yellow Pokémon was right beside him. Kaminari blinked in disbelief.

"Wait, how is it this accurate?" he asked, dumbfounded.

Tetsutetsu leaned closer, a skeptical expression on his face. "Uh… are you seriously naming it Pikachu? And how is it supposed to communicate? Just keep saying Pika Pika?"

Kaminari frowned for a moment before an idea popped into his head. "Hey, Pikachu, can you try a humanoid voice?"

"Understood, Master," the AI chirped, its tone suddenly transforming into a high-pitched and cheerful childlike voice. It sounded endearing, exactly what Kaminari had in mind.

"That's not bad," Kaminari admitted. "But hold on… why are you calling me Master? Weren't we partners a moment ago?"

"Isn't the trainer in Pokémon referred to as 'Master'?" the AI replied in an innocent tone.

For a moment, Kaminari was speechless. Then he sighed and shrugged. "Fair enough. Sure, Master it is. No need to stand on ceremony with an AI anyway."

---

"Alright, now that the binding process is done, let's move to the next phase: the combat test!"

Dr. Tenma clapped his hands loudly, and almost immediately, the opaque glass wall to their right slid apart, revealing a pristine white arena roughly the size of a basketball court.

"Combat test?" Kaminari repeated, turning to glance at Tetsutetsu with a sense of déjà vu. The term was all too familiar, and it didn't take long for him to figure out why.

Shua—

Three rectangular openings appeared in the east, south, and north walls of the arena. Moments later, three dark green robots marched out, their movements deliberate and powerful.

"Wait a second… aren't these the same robots we fought during the U.A. entrance exam?!" Tetsutetsu exclaimed in surprise.

"Not quite," Mitsui Buntais replied with a chuckle. "The exam robots you saw at U.A. were developed in collaboration with Mitsui Group and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. We handled the software; they took care of the hardware."

Dr. Tenma nodded in agreement. "These, however, are a step above those models. These are actual combat-grade robots designed for live combat scenarios. Their weight, speed, and strength are significantly higher."

"Incredible…" Kaminari muttered under his breath. For the first time, he felt like he was catching a glimpse of the immense resources top-level conglomerates could wield.

Dr. Tenma placed a hand in the pocket of his lab coat and spoke coolly, "Switch your suit to Battle Mode and engage them. Pay close attention to how the suit enhances your abilities during combat."

"By the way," he added, "these robots are coated with an advanced insulating material. While they're not entirely immune to your Quirk, it'll take more effort to take them down using electricity alone."

Kaminari nodded in understanding, then glanced at the suit he was wearing. "If Battle Mode is the second mode, then what's the one I'm in now?"

He had noticed something odd despite no breeze in the room, the robe seemed to sway gently on its own, as if alive.

"This is what we call Casual Mode," Dr. Tenma explained matter-of-factly. "Though the younger researchers have started calling it Show-Off Mode instead."

"Show-Off Mode, huh…" Kaminari raised an eyebrow. "What can this mode even do?"

"It's more limited than Battle Mode. Casual Mode includes communication, networking, basic lighting, and music playback the last one being something you personally requested in your concept design."

Hearing this, Kaminari's eyes lit up. "It has a music playback function? Alright, let's give it a shot! Pikachu, can you sync with my phone?"

"Of course, Master. Please grant me access to your device."

A notification buzzed on Kaminari's phone. Pulling it out of his pocket, he quickly approved the connection request. Moments later, Pikachu announced, "Synchronization complete! Ready for use."

"Alright," Kaminari grinned. "Let's test the communication function first. Pikachu, call Tetsutetsu."

Tetsutetsu nodded and pulled out his own phone.

"Connecting now."

To Kaminari's amazement, two pale yellow beams of light shot from his collar, forming a translucent holographic screen in front of him. At the same time, Tetsutetsu's phone began to ring.

"This thing has holographic projection?!" Kaminari exclaimed, staring at the light screen in shock.

"Of course," Dr. Tenma replied, his tone casual. "That's a basic feature."

"…Right," Kaminari muttered, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the tech. "Pikachu, cancel the call. Let's see the lighting function next."

In an instant, the suit began glowing brightly, radiating a dazzling golden light that forced everyone in the room to shield their eyes.

"Kaminari-kun! Adjust the brightness before you blind us!" Dr. Tenma yelled.

"Got it! Pikachu, tone it down!"

"Understood, Master."

The light dimmed rapidly until it was a soft, warm glow, casting a faint golden aura around Kaminari.

"This suit might be a bit too over-the-top…" Kaminari muttered, glancing at the shimmering fabric. But despite his words, a grin spread across his face. "Not that I'm complaining."

Dr. Tenma cut in with a warning. "Don't leave the lighting function on for too long. It'll drain the energy storage crystal faster than necessary."

"Yeah, yeah, I get it," Kaminari replied, quickly deactivating the lighting.

"Now…" He raised his head, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Let's see what this Battle Mode is all about!"

Dr. Tenma smirked. "The designers took heavy inspiration from your concept sketches. It's as flashy as Casual Mode, but far more practical for combat."

"Seriously?!" Kaminari's anticipation shot through the roof. His hands trembled slightly as he issued the command.

"Pikachu! Activate Battle Mode!"

"Yes, Master!"

In the next moment, the suit began to transform.

Chapter 140: Golden Saint Cloth

"This… this is…"

Tetsutetsu stared wide-eyed at the transformation happening before him. The Robe had changed into something entirely new, leaving him at a complete loss for words.

"It's incredible," he whispered, awestruck.

Buntais' expression was one of pride and satisfaction. His eyes gleamed as he looked at Kaminari, who was still frozen in place.

"Not bad at all…"

Dr. Tenma, standing beside him, nodded repeatedly with a proud smile. While he had tested the transformation countless times before, seeing the armor come alive on its rightful owner made the experience incomparable.

Kaminari, the center of everyone's attention, was completely stunned. Slowly, he raised his hands to inspect the golden armor that now covered his arms, chest, and hands.

"Is this… a dream? Am I dreaming?!" he murmured, his voice tinged with disbelief.

For a moment, he felt like his life couldn't get any better. Not only could he use the electrifying moves he'd always admired from anime, but now he was wearing armor that looked straight out of a legendary saga.

No, this wasn't just some random piece of armor. It was like having a Golden Saint Cloth from his childhood fantasies brought to life.

The Suit had fully transformed into a stunning suit of golden armor. Every inch of it gleamed with brilliance, from the intricate patterns to its polished finish. The design was bold, sleek, and overwhelmingly cool.

"How does it feel?" Dr. Tenma asked with a slight smirk. "We followed your design concept to the letter. By the way, didn't you name it…"

"Cancer's Golden Cloth!" Kaminari interrupted, clenching his right fist and gazing at the golden gauntlet now covering it. A wave of excitement coursed through him, making it hard to stay calm.

"That's right. So, among the researchers, we nicknamed this transformation Sacred Cloth Mode," Dr. Tenma explained with a laugh.

"But… why Cancer?" Tetsutetsu asked, equal parts curious and envious.

"Because Kaminari-kun's birthday is June 29th," Buntais said, matter-of-factly.

Kaminari turned to him, his eyebrows raised in surprise. "Wait, you even know my birthday, old man?"

"Of course," Buntais replied with a casual smile. "If I didn't even know the birthday of the young man who saved my life, I'd be a pretty lousy person, wouldn't I?"

"Uh… well, I guess that makes sense," Kaminari admitted, scratching the back of his head. "But yeah, the Cancer theme was definitely inspired by my birthday!"

Of course, Kaminari knew there was more to it than just kindness, Buntais had clearly done his homework. But given the older man's good intentions, there was no point in overthinking it.

"Anyway, what are the functions of this Sacred Cloth Mode?" Kaminari asked, eager to know what his new armor could do.

"In addition to the basic features of Casual Mode, this mode includes first aid, advanced defense capabilities, and a suite of auxiliary tools designed to support you in combat," Dr. Tenma began.

Before he could continue, the AI—Pikachu—interjected, "Master, let me explain!"

Kaminari grinned. "Alright then, Pikachu, it's all yours. And from now on, let's stick with calling the two modes God Mode and Sacred Cloth Mode. It just sounds cooler that way."

"Yes, Master!" Pikachu chirped, clearly excited.

Kaminari's grin widened. "Start with the first aid function. That sounds like something that could really save my butt one day."

"Yes, Master!" Pikachu responded with its usual enthusiasm, mimicking the cheerful tone of its namesake.

"Master, the first aid system consists of three components: a hemostatic agent, a stimulant, and an analgesic. These are stored inside the combat suit and can be administered directly when needed. But keep in mind, the supply is limited to two uses before it needs to be refilled."

Kaminari processed the information and glanced over at Dr. Tenma. The doctor, already anticipating his question, answered promptly.

"You can come back here for refills anytime, but each dose will cost 300,000 yen. These are highly specialized, genetically tailored medications that aren't available commercially."

"Got it," Kaminari nodded. The price was steep, but manageable.

Before Kaminari could offer to pay, Mitsui interjected. "Let's make it simple. From now on, we'll provide you with three doses free of charge every year. You can choose which ones you want. Anything beyond that will follow the usual pricing."

"Uh… that's really generous of you, but—" Kaminari started, feeling a bit awkward.

"No need to argue. Consider it an early birthday gift from me," Buntais said with a firm but kind tone, leaving no room for debate.

"Thank you Mitsui-sama!" Kaminari bowed deeply in gratitude. Beside him, Tetsutetsu also bowed, his expression serious.

"Just call me old man, it sounds better!" Mitsui chuckled.

"Alright, old man!" Kaminari replied, smiling warmly.

---

As the group finished exchanging pleasantries, Dr. Tenma cleared his throat impatiently. "We can test the remaining functions during the actual combat trial. Let's get started."

Kaminari didn't hesitate. He stepped confidently into the arena, the transparent glass wall sliding shut behind him. The silence that followed made the room feel even larger, leaving only Kaminari and the three dark green combat robots in the space.

"Man, walking around in this feels… different," Kaminari thought to himself. The armor was lightweight yet sturdy, giving him a strange but reassuring sense of security.

"Pikachu, activate Scout Mode!" he commanded.

Immediately, a pale yellow light formed a translucent display screen in front of his eyes. As Kaminari turned to face the robots, streams of data began to appear on the screen, providing detailed stats on each opponent. Even the location of their core energy sources was clearly marked.

"Whoa, this is insane!" Kaminari marveled. "Pikachu, can this analyze humans too?"

"Yes, Master!" Pikachu responded. "If data is available, it will display immediately. If not, Scout Mode can perform a preliminary scan to gather basic information. During combat, it will analyze Quirk usage and weaknesses in real-time."

Kaminari felt a wave of excitement wash over him. This wasn't just a combat suit; it was practically a portable tactical system.

At that moment, Dr. Tenma's calm, authoritative voice cut through the speakers. "Prepare yourself. The robots are activating now."

Red lights lit up on each robot, signaling that the trial had begun.

"The battle starts now," Dr. Tenma announced coolly, his tone steady and composed.

...
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Chapter Text

Chapter 141: Kaminari’s Approval!

"Target locked. Eliminate."

The lead combat robot, armed with two sharp green spears, roared to life, its tracks spinning at high speed as it lunged toward Kaminari with alarming velocity. The other two robots flanked from the left and right, moving to encircle him.

"So fast!"

Kaminari's eyes widened as he tracked the incoming machine. It closed the distance almost instantly, and he had to admit Dr. Tenma hadn't exaggerated. These robots were significantly faster than the ones he'd fought before.

Crackle!

"God Speed—activate!"

Shua!

In a flash, Kaminari's figure became a streak of golden light, narrowly dodging the incoming spear strike. He landed smoothly at the robot's side, his gauntleted fist gleaming with golden energy as he clenched it tightly.

"You've gotten stronger? Well, guess what... so have I!"

"Lightning Fist!"

Boom!

A golden burst erupted as electricity surged from Kaminari's punch, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The force was so immense that it blew back his blond hair, yet his confident grin stayed firmly in place.

"Gotcha!"

But as the smoke cleared, Kaminari's smile faltered. The result wasn't what he'd expected.

The robot remained upright, its thick green exterior barely scratched. All Kaminari had managed to do was darken the paint slightly.

"Target locked. Eliminate."

Another robotic voice sounded from his right. Kaminari whipped his head around to see the second robot charging, its left arm raised to block with a shield while its right arm a massive blade was poised for a lethal strike.

"Damn it…"

Kaminari cursed as he assessed the situation. These robots weren't just fast; they were unnervingly precise. Their movements, attacks, and even their rotations were smooth and efficient like metal predators with minds of their own.

And their durability… it was leagues above anything he had faced during U.A.'s entrance exam. His punch, which he had fully expected to send the first robot flying, barely made a dent.

Boom!

The ground rumbled beneath him as the third robot took aim from behind, its arms shifting.

"What now?!"

Kaminari's stomach dropped as he realized what was happening. The robot had morphed its arms into twin rapid-fire machine guns.

"Wait, they're using live ammunition?!" Tetsutetsu shouted from the sidelines, his hands clenched into fists. He turned to Dr. Tenma, his voice rising in outrage. "How is this just a test? Why would you include something like that?!"

Dr. Tenma, however, remained unbothered, his expression calm. "Just keep watching. You'll understand soon enough."

Inside the arena, the sound of the machine guns revving up filled the air. Flames erupted from the barrels as countless bullets tore through the space between them and Kaminari.

"Be careful, Kaminari!!" Tetsutetsu shouted, his voice desperate.

But Kaminari didn't need the warning. His instincts were already screaming at him. The rapid barrage of bullets was too overwhelming to simply dodge with God Speed.

His mind raced. He had to use a higher-level ability.

"High-Voltage Mode—activate!"

He was about to push his Quirk to its limits, hoping that the combined speed and raw electric force would help him weather the storm. But before he could act, Cancer's Golden Cloth activated on its own.

"Critical threat detected. Defense function engaged."

"What?!"

Kaminari barely had time to process the words before the armor emitted a dazzling golden glow.

Bzzzzt!

A shimmering, circular energy shield expanded outward, enveloping Kaminari in a protective barrier just as the storm of bullets struck.

Pap-pap-pap-pap!

The sound of gunfire echoed in the arena as bullets collided with the shield, shattering on impact. Sparks flew as the glowing barrier held firm, deflecting the relentless assault.

"This… this is the defense function?" Kaminari muttered, staring in disbelief as the bullets disintegrated mere inches from his face. "It's… kind of like my Thunder Aegis…"

The machine gun fire continued for nearly a minute before the robot finally stopped, its ammo depleted. The ground below it was littered with glowing, copper-colored casings.

Meanwhile, Kaminari noticed something strange: during the entire exchange, the energy shield had not only protected him but seemed to suspend him in mid-air as well.

"Okay, that was way too much," he muttered under his breath, still catching his breath from the near-death experience. His expression twisted into one of annoyance as the shield began to fade. "You're done firing, right?"

The shield dissipated, and Kaminari felt gravity pulling him back down. At the same time, the other two robots charged at him again, their weapons gleaming with lethal intent.

But Kaminari wasn't panicking. Instead, he smirked and took a deep breath mid-air, confusing his audience.

"What's he doing?" Dr. Tenma asked, his sharp eyes narrowing as he noticed a faint golden glow gathering at Kaminari's mouth.

"Heh, here it comes," Tetsutetsu said, grinning excitedly from the sidelines.

Zzzzt!

In the next moment, Kaminari exhaled sharply, unleashing a brilliant golden beam from his mouth.

"Lightning Dragon's Roar!"

The golden energy surged forward, engulfing the machine gun robot in an instant.

Boom!

A deafening explosion followed as the golden energy consumed its target, leaving behind nothing but flames and debris.

"Did… did he just shoot electricity out of his mouth?!" Dr. Tenma exclaimed, genuinely startled. "Why didn't he use this during the Hero Sports Festival?"

"It's simple," Tetsutetsu replied, crossing his arms smugly. "It's a move he's only developed recently. Kaminari's aiming to be the strongest lightning Hero out there!"

"…And let me guess," Dr. Tenma said dryly. "You're aiming to be the hardest Hero in the world?"

Tetsutetsu grinned. "Damn right!"

Inside the arena, the battle wasn't over yet.

A sharp, high-pitched screech cut through the air, audible even through the glass. Kaminari's attention snapped toward the remaining robots as a faint hum filled the space.

"That sound…!" Tetsutetsu gasped, his excitement building. "That's Raikiri!"

Dr. Tenma instinctively stepped closer to the glass, his eyes fixed on Kaminari's hands. A dark golden sphere of energy had formed in his palms, crackling with electric intensity.

"So this is Raikiri," he murmured, awe creeping into his voice.

In an instant, Kaminari activated High-Voltage Mode, his body vanishing in a flash of golden light.

"Too fast…" Mitsui muttered, squinting to track Kaminari's movements.

In the blink of an eye, Kaminari reappeared behind the two remaining robots. Golden flames flickered around his armor, his blonde hair standing on end as if charged with raw energy. He looked like a Super Saiyan clad in golden armor.

Kaminari turned his sharp, glowing eyes toward Dr. Tenma through the glass.

"The suit… it's incredible," he said quietly, his voice carrying a tone of genuine approval.

Boom!

Boom!

Behind him, the two robots erupted into flames, their destruction creating a stunning backdrop of fire and smoke.

Dr. Tenma watched Kaminari intently, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"This kid…" he muttered. "Creating a combat suit for him might just be one of the greatest achievement of my career."

Chapter 142: Such and Such

In Saitama City, the neon lights glittered against the night sky. In the square in front of an apartment complex, a vibrant fountain shot high into the air, scattering sparkling droplets like a rain of flowers.

The water in the pool shimmered and swirled, shifting colors sometimes blue, sometimes red, and occasionally dazzling with a mix of hues. Passersby stopped to admire the display, captivated by the sight.

It was already 7:12 p.m.

"I can't wait to put on my new combat uniform…" Tetsutetsu said with a longing expression as he stared at the fountain, his excitement barely contained.

"You've been saying that non-stop since we left!" Kaminari replied with an exasperated sigh. Ever since Tetsutetsu had seen the design Kaminari had drawn for Dr. Tenma earlier, he had been riding a wave of enthusiasm.

"Didn't Dr. Tenma say it would take at least two weeks to make? You're not going to be able to wear it during the Hero Work Studies," Kaminari reminded him.

Hearing this, Tetsutetsu's excitement dimmed momentarily. He glanced at the box Kaminari was carrying in his right hand, his envy plain to see.

"You're so lucky, Kaminari… You get to wear yours right now…"

"You've said that countless times too!" Kaminari groaned, rubbing his temples.

"But seriously, why haven't you put it on yet? You'd look so cool in your 'Battle Mode!'" Tetsutetsu pressed, undeterred.

"I've told you before, pay attention when people explain things!" Kaminari scolded, his expression deadpan.

"The combat uniform isn't something you can wear casually. Didn't Aizawa-sensei tell us that?"

"Oh… is that so?" Tetsutetsu scratched his head, looking sheepish. "I was kind of hoping I could wear mine all the time once it's done!" His enthusiasm reignited. "That Marine-style coat you designed as part of the uniform is just so cool!"

Kaminari sighed. "I feel like all you care about is the coat. Don't you like the white suit and alloy boots that go with it?"

"Well…" Tetsutetsu hesitated, scratching his white hair. "I've been wondering, why did you make it white? And why a suit?"

Kaminari glanced at his hair with a smirk and replied, "Because I think white suits you. And as for the suit, it's the standard look for a Marine coat. It's sleek, it's sharp, and it's stylish. Don't you think so?"

"But won't white get dirty easily? If it gets messed up during a fight, it won't look good," Tetsutetsu said, genuinely concerned.

"You really don't listen to anything, do you?" Kaminari muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"Uh… hehehe," Tetsutetsu chuckled awkwardly. Whenever he was with Kaminari, he let him take the lead, rarely thinking things through on his own.

Kaminari sighed again and straightened his posture. "Alright, listen carefully this time."

He took a deep breath and began to explain.

"The coat isn't made of the SIS Memory Alloy like my armor, but it's still crafted from a rare material, something Dr. Tenma calls AF Alloy. It's incredibly smooth, with almost no friction. It's so slick, bullets would slide right off it."

"In other words, dust, dirt, and other debris won't stick to it. So the whole 'white clothes getting dirty' thing? That's not going to happen under normal circumstances."

"As for the suit and boots, they're not made of anything super rare, but Dr. Tenma said he'll reinforce them to be as durable as possible while keeping them lightweight."

"So in a way, it's like having an extra layer of protection over your 'steel skin.'"

The more Kaminari explained, the more Tetsutetsu's eyes lit up with excitement. He was finally starting to understand just how cool his combat uniform would be.

"I really can't wait to wear my new combat uniform!"

Kaminari froze mid-step, his patience snapping. "Oh my god, you've said that like seven times already!"

Fortunately, they soon arrived near Tetsutetsu's home, sparing Kaminari from further complaints. As they parted ways, Kaminari finally enjoyed the peace of walking alone.

"Man, I hope Tetsutetsu calms down soon. He was way too hyped today… I've got my own stuff to think about."

He walked in silence, his thoughts drifting to the upcoming workplace experience.

"I hope choosing him was the right call… I just need to stay focused and make the most of it."

Stopping in front of his apartment building, Kaminari looked up at the full moon glowing brightly in the sky. It reminded him of how he had felt before taking the U.A. entrance exam, nervous yet excited, unsure of what lay ahead but determined to give it his all.

"If that saying about how 'effort pays off' is true, I should be fine," Kaminari murmured to himself. "After all… I've worked so hard for this."

---

When he got home, Kaminari couldn't resist showing off his new combat uniform. As he put it on in front of his parents, their reactions didn't disappoint.

"Son… Are you saying this was made for you for free by the Mitsui Group?" his father asked, his voice filled with disbelief. Even as a layman, he could tell the combat uniform was worth a fortune.

"Mom, I can't stop seeing gold…" his mother said in awe, staring at Kaminari in his Sacred Cloth Mode. Everything about him gleamed, the golden hair, the golden eyebrows, the golden pupils, and, of course, the golden armor covering his body.

Even more ridiculous was the faint golden glow Kaminari had activated using Pikachu's lighting function. His entire body shimmered like a divine figure.

"It's true—it was free," Kaminari said, holding back a smirk. "But there's more to the story than that."

"And what's the reason?" his father pressed, curiosity written all over his face.

"Well… it's a long story," Kaminari replied, scratching the back of his head.

"Then make it short!" his father urged. Considering it involved a corporation as influential as the Mitsui Group, he wasn't about to let it slide.

"Alright, alright."

Kaminari gave in and began explaining everything that had happened, from his encounter with Mitsui Buntais to the events that followed. The story took about fifteen minutes in total.

"I see… So that's why companies under the Mitsui Group have been reaching out to work with us," his father muttered thoughtfully. While he recognized this was good news, there was a hint of disappointment in his tone.

To Kaminari, it was clear what was bothering him. His father was upset that the Mitsui Group's interest had more to do with Kaminari than with his own professional abilities.

"Dad," Kaminari said, smiling gently. "You know, Mitsui-san actually praised you a lot."

His father's head snapped up, his expression brightening instantly. "Oh? What did he say?!"

"Mitsui-san said you're a bit inexperienced in some areas, but you're great at communication and that your management skills are solid!"

"Really?!" his father asked eagerly, his face lighting up like a kid being praised by his teacher.

"Absolutely," Kaminari lied smoothly, keeping a straight face. In truth, Mitsui Buntais hadn't mentioned his father at all, but sometimes a little white lie was worth it to make your parents happy.

"Of course it's true! He's the head of the Mitsui family, would I dare make something like that up?"

"Hahahaha!"

That night, Kaminari's father couldn't stop smiling. Even as he hummed cheerfully while washing up in the bathroom, Kaminari couldn't help but feel it was worth it.

"Yeah… As long as Dad's happy, that's all that matters," Kaminari thought to himself, feeling a quiet sense of satisfaction. After all, seeing his family smile was one of the greatest blessings in life.

Chapter 143: Matagi Hunter?

It was Sunday, ten o'clock in the morning, the day everyone was heading to their respective internship workplaces.

At Shizuoka Shinkansen Station, the entire Class 1-A had gathered, their presence drawing a noticeable crowd. Nearly twice the usual number of passengers stood nearby, whispering excitedly as they recognized the students.

"Hey, isn't that Kaminari Denki?"

"It's him! I didn't think I'd see such a famous guy here!"

"Denki! Denki! Mom, look! It's Denki over there!"

"And those kids… aren't they all from U.A.'s Hero Course? What do you think they're doing here?"

"I have no idea. Does anyone know?"

Despite the stares and chatter, Aizawa remained completely unfazed. His half-lidded eyes scanned the students as he spoke in his usual calm, monotone voice.

"Everyone brought their combat uniforms, right?"

His words carried a slight edge, even though his demeanor remained characteristically indifferent. Ever since the USJ incident, Aizawa seemed to hold them to an even stricter standard.

"Remember, you're not allowed to wear combat uniforms in public. Keep them packed safely, and don't lose them," he instructed.

"Got it!"

Ashido Mina, her lively personality shining through, practically bounced on her feet as she replied with enthusiasm. Her excitement mirrored Tetsutetsu's from the previous evening, she was clearly thrilled about her workplace partner.

"Don't drawl, Ashido. Just say 'yes' properly," Aizawa chided, his tone sharp.

"Yes, sir," she muttered back, pouting slightly before her attention returned to the crowd around them.

"Speaking of which, Kaminari's really popular, huh? It feels like people recognize him wherever he goes!"

Kaminari, who was carrying his suitcase, merely smiled politely at the crowd without saying much.

"Kaminari," Kyoka said softly, "the place you're heading to sounds pretty far away. Is it near Mount Fuji?"

"Yeah, it is. But honestly, it's not as far as Tokoyami's trip to Kyushu. I mean, if I were him, I'd just take a plane," Kaminari replied with a shrug, glancing at Tokoyami Fumikage, who stood silently nearby.

Tokoyami, ever stoic, replied in his calm, deep voice, "We have to pay for our own tickets if we fly."

"Hahaha, that's so blunt!" Kirishima burst out laughing.

---

"Alright, enough chatter," Aizawa interrupted, his serious tone cutting through their conversation. "A quick reminder, be polite and respectful to the Heroes hosting your internship. Avoid doing anything rude or inappropriate, or you risk being dismissed early."

"While such incidents aren't common, they've happened before in Hero history. So don't test your luck."

Aizawa's sharp gaze swept over the students, as if silently warning them all. After a brief pause, he added, "Alright, you're dismissed."

"Yes, sir!"

The Class 1-A students responded in unison, their voices firm, drawing another wave of murmurs and admiration from the surrounding crowd.

---

As the students began saying their goodbyes, Midoriya and Uraraka hurried to catch up with Iida, who had been trying to slip away unnoticed.

"Iida-kun!"

Iida stopped and turned to face them.

"If you find yourself in a situation you can't handle, promise you'll let us know," Midoriya said earnestly, his expression filled with concern.

"Uh-huh!" Uraraka nodded in agreement, her small eyebrows furrowing as she looked at Iida with equal worry.

"We're your friends, aren't we?"

Kaminari, watching the scene from a short distance away, let out a small sigh. He had already seen the news about the Turbo Hero Ingenium's grave injuries at the hands of the Hero Killer.

However, Kaminari chose not to approach Iida. While they were classmates, he wasn't as close to him as Midoriya or Uraraka were. Besides, Kaminari believed that what Iida needed most right now wasn't words of comfort, but quiet space to process his emotions.

After all, Iida had always given the impression of being calm, disciplined, and responsible—a model student and leader.

"Thank you," Iida said, his voice steady as he turned to give Midoriya a small smile. But as he walked away, heading toward the train to Hosu City, the smile faded, replaced by a shadowed expression.