MHA Universe, Earth, Japan, Musutafu.
{"That was an amazing match!"} Hizashi shouted into the microphone. {"The action… The drama… The tension… This year's first-year students really are something special aren't they, Aizawa? I'm curious to know what happened inside the [Shadow Colossus], though."}
{"They're adequate."} Shota replied uncaringly. {"At least there were no classes that had to be expelled this year."}
Immediately, all the first-year students in attendance shivered. Especially all the class representatives in the audience after they remembered that there was no place for Class 2-A in the class representative meetings.
{"Ha… Ha… Ha… Anyway, why don't we move on to the next match?"} Hizashi said after a hollow laugh. {"Introducing first, the Prince of the Shadows, Tokoyami Fumikage! And his opponent, the power punching green machine, Midoriya Izuku!"}
With Hizashi's introductions, Izuku and Fumikage made their way out to the ring. The battle started shortly after that when Nemuri gave the signal.
Had this been the canon versions of the characters, Izuku might have won while most of his body was inoperable. However, with all the training he went through with Tatsuo and Alfonzo, Izuku ended up winning the match rather handily.
That's not to say that Fumikage did not put up a good fight, though. His [Dark Shadow], a sentient shadow that he fights alongside, was quite impressive. However, with Izuku able to handle more of his [Quirk], it's strength and speed just couldn't keep up with what Izuku was capable of.
In the end, Izuku won by forcing Fumikage out of the ring and preventing [dark Shadow] from pulling him back in before Fumikage's feet touched the outside of the ring.
The next match was between Akatsuki and Ochaco. Unfortunately, this was where Ochaco's tournament run came to an end. Although Akatsuki was not nearly as fast as Denki when he was using his electricity to stimulate muscles, Akatsuki's speed was more sustainable. Plus, she was much more agile than Denki.
Because of that, Ochaco was never able to use her [Quirk], [Zero Gravity], on Akatsuki directly. And because Akatsuki's attacks did not tear up the ring as she went, there was no rubble to use as projectiles, either.
As a result, the fight between the two young ladies came down to a good old fashioned melee. And although Ochaco was decent in hand-to-hand combat, she had nothing on Akatsuki, resulting in her loss in the end.
The last match of the quarter-finals was between Momo and Katsuki. Unfortunately for Momo, Katsuki was not just a brute as his personality would suggest. In fact, he was quite the combat genius.
As soon as the signal was given, Katsuki fired off a large explosion, interrupting Momo's attempt to use her [Quirk] and set up her strategy. Then, when she was reeling from the explosion, he rushed in, propelling himself forward with powerful explosions.
When Katsuki was close enough, instead of throwing explosions around, he started a fierce round of close-quarters-combat, using his [Quirk] to add rotational force to his attacks. As a result, although Momo had been trained in fighting techniques, she was unable to cope with the power behind Katsuki's strikes.
In the end, she was forced off the ring, her arms and legs covered in bruises from trying to block Katsuki's attacks.
This match ended as the shortest of all the quarter-final matches. And while Katsuki walked away without even looking at Momo, Momo was left standing just outside the ring with an expression of regret on her face.
"That Bakugo kid is pretty good." Rumi said as she leaned over the railing in her seating section. "But he's too untamed."
"That sounds rather ironic coming from you, Mirko." Ryuko said.
"Nah, she actually has all the right in the world to say that." Alfonzo countered. "Trust me, I've fought her enough to know. As wild and unrestrained as her fighting style seems, she always has a plan, pushing her opponent into the positions she wants, always aiming to exploit the weaknesses she creates."
"Really?" Ryuko asked while glancing at Rumi skeptically. "I thought she just overwhelmed her opponents with her natural speed and strength."
"Well, that's not wrong, either." Alfonzo said with a chuckle. "But that's only when her speed and strength surpass her opponent's by a lot. Which, to be fair, is most of the time. But when things are equal, or even close to equal, she's quite the tactical fighter."
"It's still hard to believe." Ryuko said after a few moments of hesitation.
*Crack!* *Crack!*
"Well, we could always fight so you can find out." Rumi said while cracking her knuckles in anticipation. "I'm sure you'll be able to understand once we fight for real."
"No, thank you." Ryuko replied with a dismissive wave. "I'll pass."
{"And that's the end of the Quarter-Final Round!"} Hizashi's voice interrupted the conversation. {"Now, before we get into the semi-finals, let's take a look at the bracket for the round!"}
Once again, all the screens in the stadium change to display the current round's tournament bracket.
{Tournament Bracket – Third Round
3 - Soramoto Tatsuo
8 - Midoriya Izuku
10 - Hanekura Shizuka
Vs.
16 - Bakugo Katsuki}
{"At this point, we only have three matches left!"} Hizashi said loudly, his voice causing some of those in the audience to wince. {"We're getting down to the real nitty-gritty, aren't we, Eraser?"}
{"You're talking into a microphone."} Shota replied, his tone making it clear that he was annoyed. {"Do you really have to be so loud?"}
{"Of course, I do!"} Hizashi said matter of factly. {"Now, what are your thoughts about the next round of the tournament?"}
{"*Sigh* The matches are between some of the year's most talented students."} Shota replied in a flat tone, sounding as if he was reading from a script. {"So, I'm sure that the audience will have a lot to look forward to."}
{"Well, folks, there you have it!"} Hizashi shouted. {"Now, with no more delay, let's get into the next match! Introducing first, he's been the undisputed winner from the beginning to the end of the festival. His [Quirk] makes him something like the Prince of the Void. Ladies and gentlemen, help me in welcoming Soramoto Tatsuo!"}
With Hizashi's introduction, Tatsuo slowly walked into the stadium from the tunnel while smiling brightly and waving at the crowd. However, to anyone looking close enough, it was obvious that his smile was a bit stiff.
"Oh, T is pissed." Alfonzo said while trying to hold in his laughter. "I don't think he liked Present Mic's nickname."
"Why not?" Ryuko asked curiously while looking down at Tatsuo with a slight blush on her face. "He's certainly handsome enough for a title like that."
"Easy there, cradle robber." Rumi said sharply.
"What did you call me?" Ryuko squeaked, her tone a mixture of anger and embarrassment.
"Oops. My bad." Rumi said while covering her mouth in a show of faux daintiness. "I should have called you a cougar instead of a cradle robber, right?"
"You said you wanted to fight, right?" Ryuko asked while glaring daggers at Rumi. "Fine, then you'll get what you want. I'll put you in your place for that!"
Instead of pulling back, Rumi's hand fell, revealing a wide, battle-crazed smile.
"Bring it on!" Rumi shot back excitedly. "I'm ready, anytime, anywhere."
"Now, now." Alfonzo said, stepping between the two prominent Heroines. "I think this has gone far enough. Besides, neither of you wants to miss the next match, right?"
"Stop messing up my fun." Rumi said disgruntledly.
"Hmph! I'll let you off this time." Ryuko said, showing a tough stance.
Though she still showed off a tough outward appearance, Ryuko could feel a bit of cold sweat rolling down her back. Although she never thought she was any worse than Rumi when it came to being a Hero, she knew that fighting Rumi was an uphill battle. Especially when it came to Rumi's stamina. She was basically a perpetual motion machine in that regard.
{"And entering from the opposite entrance!"} Hizashi continued once Tatsuo was in the ring. {"He's shown unrelenting force in his matches so far. The powerful green-haired phenomenon, Ladies and gentlemen, Midoriya Izuku!"}
Like Tatsuo, Izuku stepped into the stadium once he was introduced. However, instead of showing his usual, slightly intimidated expression, he wore one filled with determination as he made his way to the ring.
"That's a good look." Toshinori said from his seat on one of the couches in Nezu's office. "It looks like Young Midoriya is looking forward to this match as much as most of the audience."
"So, it would seem." Nezu replied. "From what you've told me, Soramoto-Kun was the one who gave him the ideas that led to his current fighting style, correct?"
"Yeah…" Toshinori replied a bit sheepishly. "Though I'm loathed to admit it, I did not provide much in the way of guidance when it came to proper usage of [One for All]. *Sigh* You could even say, I failed as a teacher."
"Don't be so hard on yourself, Toshinori-Kun." Nezu said while waving his little paw dismissively. "It's common for those who learn things both naturally and easily to have trouble teaching those who need more effort. Still, I'm impressed by Soramoto-Kun's ability to teach. Perhaps he would be interested in taking a part-time teaching position after he graduates."
Meanwhile, back in the stadium, Tatsuo and Izuku were facing each other in the ring.
"You better come at me with your best, Midoriya." Tatsuo said without losing his smile.
"Don't worry, I intend to." Izuku replied while clenching his fists. "I wanna show you that I didn't waste the help you gave me when I first started training."
"No, that's not why." Tatsuo replied with a shake of his head.
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Izuku asked, his confusion evident.
"It's that damn nickname." Tatsuo said quietly. "The Prince of the Void. I can't believe Present Mic actually said that out loud. I have a feeling that's gonna stick for the rest of my career."
The dumbfounded expression on Izuku's face was clear to everyone watching the ring.
"I mean, seriously?" Tatsuo continued, his tone growing more and more irate as time passed. "How the hell did he come up with something so chuuni? And even worse, I'm gonna be stuck with that chuuni shit as my Hero name at some point. I can feel it."
"Uh… Sorry to hear that?" Izuku replied in a confused tone.
Meanwhile, Nemuri, who was close enough to hear the conversation between the boys, smiled widely. Because she knew that Tatsuo was right. No one who has seen his performance in the Sports Festival, nor any of the females who have seen his face, would accept his Hero name being anything other than the Prince of the Void after hearing Hizashi's introduction. And she knew it would be hilarious in the future.
But she also knew she could not let this go on forever. So, she raised her whip above her head while bringing her microphone to her full, alluring lips.
{"Are both contestants ready?" Nemuri asked while looking down at Tatsuo and Izuku with clear amusement in her eyes.
Immediately, both Tatsuo and Izuku took their fighting stances. And while Tatsuo's stance was the normal Vale Tudo stance, Izuku took a standard kickboxing stance. Then, both boys nodded in unison with determined expressions on their faces.
"Then, let the match…" Nemuri said as she tightened her grip on the handle of her whip.
*Crack!*
"Begin!" Nemuri said, announcing the beginning of the match as she slapped her whip against the stage.
Immediately after the signal was given, Tatsuo shot forward without using [Blink]. Yet, in the blink of an eye, he closed the distance between his starting position and Izuku.
*Bang!*
Reacting quickly, Izuku raised his left arm, using his forearm to block Tatsuo's right straight.
"Urgh!" Izuku grunted from the feeling of the bones in his arms rattling after blocking the punch. "Your punches are so heavy."
"I told you to give it all you got, Midoriya." Tatsuo replied, his determined expression stretching into a battle hungry smile. So, don't hold back."
"If that's what you want." Izuku said as he pushed Tatsuo's fist to the side. "[Full cowling: 27%]"
With that, Izuku was once again covered in arcs of green energy. Also, those who were watching closely noticed that they were more intense than they had been at any point prior to this.
In the next instant, Izuku shot back at Tatsuo, throwing a right uppercut at his chin. However, Tatsuo reacted quickly, tilting his head to avoid the fist. He then raised his right leg to check a follow-up low kick.
*Bang!*
To Izuku's surprise, Tatsuo was not forced back by his kick. And the expression on his face showed it.
"You think you can jump through space without a sturdy body?" Tatsuo asked in response to Izuku's confusion.
At the same time, Tatsuo swept his raised right leg outward, destroying Izuku's balance. He then whipped the same leg at Izuku's midsection. However, Izuku was able to move his left arm in time to block the kick.
*Bang!*
In the next instant, Izuku's left arm shot up, a jab aimed at Tatsuo's nose. However, Tatsuo reacted quickly, swatting the punch to his left with his right hand. Then he whipped his right arm back, throwing a backfist at Izuku's jaw.
Leaning back, Izuku avoided the back hand. Then, while riding the momentum from leaning away, he raised his left leg, throwing a kick at Tatsuo's chin. However, Tatsuo was already spinning away with the momentum of his backfist. On top of that, he had lowered his center of gravity, dropping down to deliver a leg sweep aimed at Izuku's supporting leg.
"Ah!" Izuku gasped as he was knocked off his feet.
On his way to the ground, Izuku noticed that Tatsuo was no longer in the same position. However, when he looked further up, he noticed that Tatsuo was in the air, right above him, with his right leg raised to deliver an axe kick.
"Damn it…" Izuku muttered as he twisted his body and shot his right fist at the ring.
*Bang!*
*Bang!*
Before he hit the ground, Izuku's fist connected with the ring, cracking the cement as he shot himself to the side with the rebound, barely avoiding Tatsuo's descending foot. Then, like a powerful battleaxe, Tatsuo's axe kick struck the ring in nearly the same spot, cratering the ring with the force.
A moment later, Izuku pushed himself back to his feet, looking at Tatsuo with some added wariness. Meanwhile, Tatsuo calmly pulled his foot out of the crater as he turned to look at Izuku.
"Like I said, I'm a little upset from that stupid nickname." Tatsuo said, his battle hungry smile as wide as ever. "So, you'd better come at me with everything. Otherwise, you're gonna end up going to see Recovery Girl after this match."
*Gulp!*
Izuku's audible gulp could be heard from the first few rows of the audience stands. However, instead of backing down, he took his fighting stance again and put on a determined expression.
"[Full cowling: 31%]." Izuku said as the green energy arcs brightened a bit more. "Fine, I'll push things to my absolute limits. Let's go, Soramoto-Kun."
Hearing that, Tatsuo's smile widened as he took his fighting stance, as well. Then, the two dashed forward in unison to continue the fight.