President FIGHT!

No, it's not Trump vs Biden...sadly. :(

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On Class 1-B's side, Itsuka Kendo surveyed her team with confidence. "Alright, does everyone know the plan?" she asked, seeking confirmation from her teammates.

Neito Monoma, as usual, was brimming with arrogance. "Of course, I'm ready to crush these Class 1-A scum and show them their place!"

Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu slammed his fists together, his steely resolve clear. "I just have to deal with their Class President, right? He won't know what hit him!"

Ibara Shiozaki, her eyes closed in quiet reverence, added, "I am prepared to deliver divine justice and quell the sins of the arrogant."

Kendo satisfied that her team understood their roles, stepped into the arena, which had been transformed into a sprawling warehouse. The space was vast, with towering crates and steel beams lining the ground floor. The second floor, reachable by a set of narrow stairs, housed the bomb—their ultimate objective was to protect.

"Stick to the plan, everyone," Kendo instructed firmly. "Monoma, start setting up."

Monoma, brimming with smug pride, wasted no time. He slapped his hands onto the ground, his Quirk activating as he utilized the ability he copied from Cementoss.

The floor and walls shifted and molded themselves, creating an almost impenetrable fortress of solid concrete. Barricades rose around them, offering protection from any frontal assaults.

Ibara positioned herself strategically in the middle of the ground floor. Her vines extended outward, creating a network of sensory tendrils. If anything approached—whether it be Kurokami or Mei—she'd feel it immediately.

Tetsutetsu marched outside the fortress, cracking his knuckles and activating his Steel Quirk. His mission was simple and direct: fight Kurokami Tenshin head-on and neutralize him before he could pose any real threat. "I've got this. He's just a tough guy with a weird quirk. No problem."

Kendo, stationed at the top of the warehouse near the bomb, carefully watched the unfolding situation. Her job was to manage the overall defense and deal with any surprises. She trusted her team, and her plan was airtight. No one person—especially not Kurokami—could break through this kind of coordinated defense with just brute force.1

Or at least, that's what she believed.

As the clock ticked down and the match officially began, Kendo felt a small pang of nervousness, but she quickly shook it off. "Keep calm. They have to come to us. We have the upper hand."

The trap was set, and all they had to do was wait for Class 1-A's unpredictable President and his General Course partner to make their move.

As Mei and Kuro stood outside the warehouse, they could already tell this was going to be a tough challenge.

Class 1-B had fortified the building, and the walls practically groaned under the weight of Monoma's quirk, which had created thick, defensive structures. Tendrils of Ibara's vines snaked out of every opening, twisting and coiling like a sentient maze, waiting for someone to stumble into its grasp.

Mei, stretching casually, gave the warehouse a once-over and sighed, her usual carefree grin in place. "So, are you gonna do the usual, Kuro? Smash through it all and then grin like a fool?"

Kuro, who was now levitating just inches above the ground, shrugged. "Yeah, pretty much. You know me."

Mei smiled fondly at him. "Of course. You always stick to what you're best at." She took a step forward, already raising her arms in surrender.

"What are you doing?" Kuro asked, his brow furrowed.

"I'm not really interested in a full-out brawl right now," Mei explained. "I've got a few babies to test out, and that team's pretty strong. Plus, I wanna see you take 'em all down. It'll be more fun watching from the inside."

Kuro blinked as Mei began walking right into the enemy territory, arms raised high in mock surrender. "You're just giving up?"

"Yup!" she called over her shoulder with a wink. "Consider this my contribution to the fight!"

Kuro shook his head, amused. She was completely unpredictable, but that was part of her charm. He watched as she confidently strode into the tangling mass of vines, disappearing as Ibara's tendrils reached out to gently ensnare her. "That's Mei for you..." he muttered to himself before turning his gaze skyward.

Far above him, the warehouse stood tall, fortified, and ready. Vines were growing more densely now, ready to capture anything that touched them. Kuro smiled, tilting his head back to crack his neck.

His purple "Ki" flared around him, lighting up the ground below like a soft halo. He lifted off the ground slowly, just enough to float over the vine-laden traps.

Meanwhile, back inside, Kendo watched as Ibara escorted Mei through the lower floor, the General Course student bound by vines. "This is strange," Kendo muttered, resting her chin on her hand. "Why would she give up so easily? Something feels... off."

Monoma, crouching nearby, smirked. "It's obvious. The arrogant fool is overconfident. They think Kurokami can do everything by himself." His eyes gleamed with an almost maniacal intensity as he tapped the ground, reinforcing the walls even more. "They're underestimating us."

Kendo, always the strategist, frowned. "Maybe. But we shouldn't let our guard down. Something about this is too easy."

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the building as Kuro burst through one of the warehouse walls, floating in a perfect arc into the middle of the ground floor. He touched down with barely a sound, his eyes scanning the environment. "Hey, Tetsutetsu!" he called out casually.

The steel-skinned warrior answered with a battle cry, barreling toward Kuro with the speed and ferocity of a bull. "Kurokami Tenshin!" Tetsutetsu's voice boomed across the warehouse. "It's time we settled this!"2

Kuro grinned. "I was hoping you'd say that!" He dropped his stance, ready to take the hit head-on. This was going to be fun.

Tetsutetsu didn't waste a second, charging forward with raw, unbridled strength. The ground trembled beneath his feet as his steel-hardened body collided with Kuro's. The sound of metal slamming against flesh reverberated through the building, but Kuro held firm, sliding back only slightly from the impact.

Kuro's eyes narrowed. Tetsutetsu had grown stronger, no doubt. He could feel the weight behind each punch as Tetsutetsu launched a barrage of hits, his fists like battering rams.

Kuro's "Ki" flared around him in response, absorbing some of the force but not enough to make this easy. His muscles strained as he blocked and dodged, but a wild grin spread across his face. This was what he loved—the heat of battle, the thrill of matching strength with strength.

"Not bad, Tetsutetsu!" Kuro called as he dodged a haymaker aimed at his head. "You're doing great."

Tetsutetsu grinned back, his teeth gleaming behind his steel lips. "Thanks! You too!" His fist slammed into Kuro's ribs, sending him skidding back a few feet. But Kuro didn't falter.3

"Let's see if you can keep up, though!" Kuro's body glowed with an intense surge of energy as he transitioned into his "Flux" state, his Ki swirling around him like a storm. He darted forward, so fast it almost seemed like he vanished. In an instant, he was behind Tetsutetsu, delivering a powerful kick to the steel hero's back, sending him flying into a nearby stack of crates.4

Upstairs, Kendo had been watching the fight unfold. Her brow furrowed. "Tetsutetsu's not going to last long at this rate. I need to figure out what they're planning."

Just as she was about to issue an order, she heard a click behind her. She turned to see Mei, bound by Ibara's vines, drop a small canister onto the floor.

"What—?" Kendo barely had time to react before the canister popped open with a hiss, filling the air with a soft pink smoke.

Ibara's vines instinctively wrapped around her body, creating a defensive shield. "I won't let you get away with this," Ibara said, her tone firm, but the vines trembled slightly.

Mei simply grinned from her position, bound but far from helpless. "Oh, it's not me you should be worrying about. But good luck with that."

A small drone zipped out from under Mei's jacket, flying straight toward the bomb's control panel.

Kendo's eyes widened. "Oh no, you don't!" She lunged forward, grabbing the drone just before it could reach the panel. "You thought you could trick us with this?"

Mei smiled sweetly. "Not exactly."

Before Kendo could respond, the drone exploded in her hands, not with force, but with more of the pink gas. Kendo coughed, her eyelids already drooping. "Sleeping gas?" she mumbled, stumbling backward. Her arms grew heavy, and within moments, Kendo collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Back downstairs, Kuro had just finished knocking out Tetsutetsu with a well-placed punch to the jaw. He stood over his fallen opponent, panting slightly but still full of energy. His eyes darted to Ibara, who had been watching the battle unfold from her defensive position.

"You're the last one standing," Kuro said, dusting off his hands. "Wanna give up?"

Ibara's face remained resolute. "I will not surrender. My faith is strong. Even if you've beaten the others, I won't fall easily."

Kuro sighed, shaking his head. "Why is it always the stubborn ones?"

He jumped up to the second floor in one fluid motion, landing in front of the bomb. His fingers hovered over the keypad, ready to input the code. But before he could, Monoma burst from the shadows with a triumphant laugh.

"Gotcha!" Monoma shouted, slapping a hand onto Kuro's arm. "Your quirk is mine!"

For a split second, Monoma's smile widened in victory. Then... nothing happened. His grin faltered. "Wait... why isn't it working?"

Kuro turned to him with a blank expression. "I guess it doesn't transfer well." He delivered a quick, casual punch, knocking Monoma out cold before turning back to the bomb.5

With a sigh of relief, Kuro input the simple code: A B C D.

The buzzer sounded, and the match officially ended.

The crowd erupted in cheers, amazed at the swift and decisive victory. Present Mic was practically bouncing with excitement. "NO WAY! Class 1-A's President and his partner have WON! That was insane! Did you see that, Eraserhead?"

Aizawa, though his face remained impassive, nodded in approval. "As you can see, Kurokami was the distraction, Mei immobilized Kendo and with the sleeping gas still there, Ibara couldn't breathe in it, and that allowed for an easy win, and excellent teamwork."

As the dust settled, Kuro and Mei regrouped. Mei, having been untied by the officials, walked over to him with a big grin. "Guess you didn't need all my babies after all, huh?"

Kuro shrugged, a tired but happy smile on his face. "Yeah, but the gas was a nice touch. Thanks."

Mei giggled. "Always happy to help!"

And with that, the first round of the Sports Festival came to a close, leaving the audience buzzing with excitement and anticipation for what was to come next.

...

Mei and Kuro parted ways with a casual wave, the chaotic energy of the arena gradually fading as Kuro made his way back to the waiting area. His footsteps echoed in the halls, but his mind was elsewhere, pondering if the next challenge would force him to push harder.

He hadn't been fully tested so far, and while his easy victories had kept him in the game, a part of him wondered what it would be like to face someone who could match his strength.6

As Kuro rounded a corner, he could hear the murmurs from the stadium as the crowd buzzed with excitement. Midnight's voice rang out again, explaining the rules of the next event.

"King of the Hill," she announced, her tone sharp and authoritative. "Contestants will battle to stand on top of designated hills. The longer you're on a hill, the more points you accumulate. Only the top 16 contestants with the most points will advance to the next round!"

The crowd roared in approval, while Present Mic's voice boomed over the speakers, hyping up the audience even further. "This one's gonna be intense, folks! You better hold onto your seats, 'cause it's about to get wild!"

Aizawa's drowsy voice cut in, balancing out the energy. "You have 20 minutes before the event starts. Use that time wisely for food, water, or to rest."

Kuro smiled to himself as he heard the instructions. He felt ready. No need to strategize too much—he would figure it out as he went. Still, his instincts told him he should be more cautious. This event wasn't going to be as simple as breaking through a wall or flying over obstacles. With multiple competitors fighting for control of hills, he might have to contend with multiple quirks at once.

He stopped just outside the waiting area, looking out at the sunlit stadium. "Time to see if I have to try," he mused before stepping inside to join his classmates.

Meanwhile, at the bar…

Shigaraki Tomura sat in the dim light, the soft clinking of his teacup on the counter the only sound in the otherwise still room. The Sports Festival was playing on a screen mounted on the wall, the image flickering as various competitors from U.A. battled their way through the tournament.

"King of the Hill," Shigaraki mumbled, resting his chin on his hand, a look of distaste crossing his face. The students were laughing, smiling, and competing for glory—an image that made his skin crawl. What made it worse was the very notion of what they represented.

"Heroes..." he muttered with disgust, but even that word lacked its usual venom today.

Kurogiri, always the attentive listener, stood nearby, wiping a glass clean. He glanced over at Shigaraki. "What is it about heroes that you despise so deeply, Tomura?" His voice was calm, almost clinical, as though he were trying to help Shigaraki dissect his hatred.

For a moment, Shigaraki's fingers twitched, hovering dangerously close to the rim of his teacup. He stared at the screen, watching as the camera panned over the cheering crowd. "I don't know..." he said quietly, his brow furrowing as he wrestled with the thought. "What is it I hate so much?"

He knew the feeling all too well—the burning, itching sensation that crept up his neck whenever he saw a hero. But as time passed, the reasons became murky, clouded by years of rage and resentment. His fingers itched for destruction, but the root of it all eluded him.

Before Kurogiri could offer any words of comfort or counsel, the screen above the bar flickered, and the dimly lit room was bathed in a purple glow. A message appeared: "Sound Only."

Shigaraki's posture straightened immediately. There was only one person who could contact him in this way—Master. The voice that came through was deep, calm, and layered with an eerie familiarity.

"Tomura."

The single word was enough to command attention. The voice continued, soft but resonant, as if it carried both authority and something resembling... affection.

"If you truly wish to understand why you hate heroes, you must first understand where your hatred comes from. Ask yourself, what is it that you despise about them?"

Shigaraki's eyes narrowed as the words settled over him. The question echoed in his mind. Why do I hate them? He knew he wanted to destroy heroes, to reduce everything they stood for to ashes, but the reasons—the why—had become less clear.

Finally, after a long silence, he spoke. "Master... I want to destroy them. But more than that, I want to crush those two brats at the U.A. Sports Festival—Kurokami Tenshin and Bakugo Katsuki. They made a fool out of me at the USJ." Perhaps starting with that would give me the answer.

There was a low, rumbling laugh on the other end of the transmission, one that sent a chill through the air despite its warmth. "If that is your path, then follow it. It is okay to fail, Tomura. I will always be here. Keep going, and you will find the answers you seek."

Despite the cold, mechanical tone of the voice, there was an unmistakable tenderness in those words, as though a father were consoling a troubled son. The sound of it left Shigaraki feeling both reassured and unsettled.

The screen went dark again, the purple light vanishing as quickly as it had come. Shigaraki remained still for a moment, staring at the now-blank screen.

"I will destroy them..." he repeated quietly, his resolve hardening with each word. He glanced at Kurogiri, his expression cold yet focused. "First Kurokami and Bakugo... then the rest."

Kurogiri, ever loyal, nodded in acknowledgment. "And what will you do if you fail?"

Shigaraki clenched his fist tightly, his nails digging into his palm. "I won't."

Kurogiri observed him quietly, his mind churning with thoughts. The master had set Shigaraki on a path—one filled with destruction and rage.

But where would that path ultimately lead? For now, there was only one thing Kurogiri could do: watch, wait, and support his young master in the pursuit of his twisted dream.

...

As the announcement echoed across the arena, Aizawa's calm but foreboding voice cut through the air: "Surprise everyone, hills now have a maximum limit of 4 people. Do with that what you will."

Present Mic followed up with his usual flair, "That's right, folks! Teams are now officially a thing, so choose your allies wisely! And the point system starts now! Let's get ready to rumble!" The crowd roared with excitement, understanding the stakes had just been raised.

Kuro, floating lazily above the field with Toru Hagakure still holding onto him, blinked at the sudden change. "Four people, huh?" he mused aloud, scratching his chin. "I guess I should go get Mei. More friends, the better, right?"

Toru, realizing she'd been left alone, awkwardly plopped down on the grassy hill Kuro had deposited her on. "Well... guess I'll just hold this spot then," she muttered to herself, folding her arms. "Not like anyone can see me anyway." She sighed, trying to make herself comfortable. This was turning into a weird day.

Bakugo stood proudly at the top of his hill, explosions already fizzing from his hands as his competitive spirit kicked into overdrive. "Hmph, maximum of four, huh?" he muttered, glancing at Kirishima standing beside him, who was also trying to hold his spot.

Kirishima, always the supportive friend, grinned. "Hey, Bakugo, this means we can go after more people now, right? Wanna challenge Kuro and his team?"

But Bakugo barely even acknowledged the suggestion. "Challenge Kuro?" he scoffed. "That'd be boring. Too easy. Too predictable. Nah..." His fiery red eyes gleamed as his grin widened, teeth bared. "I need to crush him in front of everyone. And not just a regular win—I'm going to kill a god on this stage. That'll make this whole festival worth it."

Kirishima scratched his head, confused. "Dude, why do you keep calling Kuro a god? You know he's not some divine being, right?"

Bakugo's grin didn't falter. "You'll see soon enough. Trust me. That bastard thinks he's untouchable."

On another hill, Izuku Midoriya was nervously scouting the area, trying his hardest to stay unnoticed. He didn't want to engage anyone if he didn't have to—not yet, at least. His mind raced, strategizing about where to move next.

"Deku!"

A familiar voice broke through his concentration, and he turned to see Ochaco Uraraka bounding toward him with a wide smile on her face.

"Ochaco!" Izuku greeted her with relief. "You're here to help?"

She gave him a thumbs-up. "You bet! And I brought backup!"

Suddenly, Iida Tenya sped up from behind, skidding to a halt beside them. He saluted them both as if this were a formal military operation. "Midoriya, Uraraka! I'm here to assist!"

Izuku blinked in surprise. "Iida? Where've you been this whole time?"

Iida, his glasses gleaming from the sunlight, explained with an exaggerated hand motion. "I had to scale Todoroki's ice wall using my engines! It took an immense amount of effort, precision, and stamina, but I have made it to the battlefield at last!"

Izuku and Ochaco exchanged amused glances. "Well, better late than never," Izuku said, still slightly amazed at his friend's ability to over-explain every situation.

Meanwhile, Shoto Todoroki, standing on his icy hill, saw the shifting dynamics below. The announcement about team limits didn't faze him; he was already calculating potential threats. He glanced toward Kuro, now flying toward another hill to retrieve Mei Hatsume.

"He's always so carefree," Todoroki muttered to himself, eyes narrowing. "But I know better now... he's not someone to underestimate."

He let his thoughts drift back to their previous sparring matches. Kuro's power was beyond what he first assumed, but the randomness of his fighting style made him difficult to predict.7

Todoroki knew he'd need to face him eventually, but for now, he focused on defending his territory. A thin layer of ice began creeping across his hill as a protective barrier, ensuring no one would get close without a fight.

On the opposite side of the battlefield, Mei Hatsume was sitting cross-legged at the base of a hill, tinkering with one of her new gadgets. Despite being in the middle of a competitive event, she was entirely engrossed in her work, humming softly as she tightened a few screws.

"Mei," came Kuro's voice from above, and she looked up to see him floating down.

"Oh hey, Kuro! You're back!" she said, barely paying attention to her surroundings. "You know, I was just about to test something."

"No time for that," Kuro said as he landed. "Come on, we've got space for two more people on the hill. You, me, and Toru."

Mei blinked, then shrugged. "Alright, guess I'll pack up for now. But just so you know, I've got a little surprise if things get tricky."

"I'm counting on it," Kuro replied, offering her a hand to help her up.

With Mei now joining the team, Kuro headed back to the hill where Toru was still lying low. He touched down softly and set Mei on the ground, glancing around to make sure no one had tried to take their hill while they were away.

As everyone settled into their teams, the tension on the battlefield began to rise. Aizawa's surprise announcement about team limits had shaken things up, and now alliances were forming fast. Bakugo's gaze was locked on his target—Kuro—but he was biding his time, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Izuku, Ochaco, and Iida found themselves forming a solid unit, each watching one another's backs. Kirishima stayed loyal to Bakugo, his unbreakable quirk ready to block any incoming attacks.

And Kuro? Floating lazily over his hill, he scanned the field with an easygoing smile. His mind was calm, but he knew the real competition was just getting started.

...

As Ochaco glanced at the strange cuffs on Izuku's wrists, curiosity got the better of her. "Hey, Deku, what are those?" she asked, gesturing at the contraptions.

Izuku smiled, a hint of pride creeping in. "These cuffs help me control my quirk better. Kurokami made them for me after I asked him for advice. They limit how much power I can use at once, so I don't end up hurting myself."

Ochaco blinked, surprised. "Wait, Kuro's in the support course too?" The thought seemed strange, considering his usual carefree and somewhat chaotic demeanor.

"Yes," Iida chimed in, pushing his glasses up with his usual serious expression. "Kurokami enrolled in the support course as a secondary option. It's a strategic move for students who require additional credits, and it's a brilliant decision. His eccentricity aside, his foresight and skill in management are commendable."

Ochaco tilted her head, absorbing this new information. "Huh, he doesn't really seem like the... 'brainy' type, you know?" She paused, her face flushing as she realized how that might come across. "I-I mean, no offense! He's just—"

Izuku waved it off, smiling reassuringly. "It's okay. Kuro's... Kuro. He just sees things differently."

Iida nodded firmly. "Despite his eccentricities, I have no regrets about choosing him for class president. His leadership abilities are undeniable."

Izuku's mind briefly wandered back to the day of the class election. He had given up the chance to be a class leader, trusting Iida and Kuro to take the reins. Was that the right choice?

Before he could finish that thought, a loud crack pierced the air. A bullet shot past his head, missing by mere inches. Instinctively, Iida darted forward with a burst of speed, tackling Izuku out of harm's way.

Neito Monoma, the proud and ever-resentful student from Class 1-B, lowered his weapon with a scowl. "Tch. Dodged it."

Ochaco's eyes widened in shock. "What the hell, Monoma? Are you insane? You can't use a real gun here!"

Monoma sneered, clearly enjoying the chaos he caused. "Relax, it's not a real gun. Rubber bullets. Slower than a normal round. But it'll hurt like hell if it hits you." His tone was dripping with contempt as if he was mocking them for being startled.

Izuku scrambled to his feet, his mind racing. "Rubber bullets or not, he's dangerous!" He scanned the opposing team: Monoma, Itsuka Kendo, and Pony Tsunotori. Monoma wasn't the only threat. Kendo and Pony were already on the move.

Kendo cracked her knuckles, her enlarged fists swinging as she charged straight toward Izuku. "Monoma, keep Iida busy," she ordered, confident in her team's coordination. "Pony, take out Ochaco!"

Monoma smirked as he loaded another clip into his gun. "Consider it done." His focus shifted toward Iida, knowing the speedster would be a challenge, but one he was eager to handle.

Meanwhile, Pony psyching herself up, aimed for Ochaco. "I've got this! For Class 1-B!" she muttered under her breath, her determination rising.

Ochaco's eyes narrowed as she saw Pony's horns glowing with quirk energy. "Guess it's time to get serious."

As Izuku Midoriya squared off against Kendo, he felt the tension rise. He knew he had to play this smart, not just powerful. With One For All activated at 3%, he threw a test punch, aiming to gauge her reaction and strength.

Kendo, with her enlarged hands, saw it coming. With incredible precision, she caught his fist mid-punch, her grip unyielding. Before Izuku could react, she swiftly grabbed his leg with her other hand and slammed him into the ground with a deafening thud. The impact rattled Izuku, but before he could even catch his breath, Kendo hoisted him up effortlessly and hurled him off the hill.

Izuku tumbled through the air but managed to catch himself just before he hit the ground below. Breathing heavily, he quickly analyzed the situation. "She's stronger than I thought… But if I use too much power, I might hurt her."

He had been training intensely for this moment, particularly after sparring with Kirishima, whose durability made it nearly impossible for Izuku to land a significant blow. It was then that he realized his usual power wasn't enough.

Desperate for a solution, he had asked Bakugo for advice.

"Screw off, damn nerd!!" Bakugo had shouted, as expected. But luckily, Kurokami had been there, offering an unexpected insight. "You and I have quirks that are alike in one aspect: pushing them to their limits. If you're willing to raise your power beyond its max, you'll be stronger—though you'll need some time to recover afterward."

Taking that advice to heart, Izuku had pushed himself. At first, he could force his power up to 9%, but through weeks of relentless training, he now had something new. Something stronger.

18% ONE FOR ALL!

The green lightning around him flared up as he activated One For All at 18%, the sheer force of it causing the ground to tremble beneath him. Izuku darted forward with an explosive burst of speed, catching Kendo completely off guard.

"What the—?" Kendo's eyes widened, barely managing to raise her enlarged hands to block as Izuku came at her with renewed ferocity. His punches landed with rapid-fire precision, each one packing significantly more power than before.

Though her hands absorbed most of the impact, Kendo could feel the force behind every hit. "Is this kid serious?!" she thought, gritting her teeth. "I'm a power type, but he's moving so fast!"

Izuku's fists blurred as he continued to strike, pushing her back step by step. Sweat beaded on Kendo's forehead. She couldn't believe the transformation in his power. "Is all of Class 1-A this monstrous?" she wondered, her arms starting to ache under the barrage.

But Izuku knew he couldn't keep this up forever. His body was already feeling the strain of using 18%, and he needed to wrap this up quickly. He focused, aiming for a finishing move to finally knock her off the hill.

Kendo, seeing the determination in his eyes, grinned through the struggle. "Not bad, Midoriya... but I'm not going down that easily!"

Pony Tsunotori, with her Horn Cannon quirk at the ready, was eager to prove herself. Her horns, telekinetically controlled, zoomed through the air like missiles toward Ochaco Uraraka. "I got this!" Pony thought, feeling the weight of her classmates' expectations on her shoulders. This was her moment to shine.

But Ochaco was no longer the wide-eyed, inexperienced girl who had entered UA months ago. She had trained hard—brutally hard—with Kurokami, enduring what felt like endless battles. Every punch, dodge, and counter had sharpened her skills.

As the first horn shot toward her, she sidestepped gracefully, her body reacting almost automatically. The second horn came faster, but Ochaco was ready. With a light touch, she activated her quirk, making the horn weightless.

"What the—!" Pony gasped as the horn, suddenly feather-light, veered off course and shot past Ochaco. The imbalance threw Pony off as she struggled to control the horn's trajectory.

That split-second of confusion was all Ochaco needed. In an instant, she was in front of Pony, moving with precision. With a quick jab to the sternum, she knocked the wind out of her opponent, and in one smooth motion, she flipped Pony into the ground, pinning her down.

The match was over in mere seconds, but Ochaco remained focused, ready for anything else. Pony, however, lay on the ground, her eyes welling up with tears. "I-I'm sorry..." Pony whispered, her small frame trembling with frustration. "I wanted to win..."

Ochaco felt a pang of guilt seeing Pony so upset. "Hey... it's okay, you fought well!" she tried to comfort her. Reaching down, she was about to help her up when—

"Watch out!" Iida's voice cut through the moment.

Ochaco's reflexes kicked in, and she instinctively dashed backward just in time. A shadowy figure emerged from where Pony had been moments earlier—Neito Monoma. His finger twitched as he fired off a shot from a rubber bullet gun, grazing Ochaco's side.

Ochaco stifled a gasp of pain as the bullet hit her. Gripping her side, she backflipped away to create distance between herself and Monoma, but her movements were slower than before. The pain radiated through her body, but she refused to let it show.

"Monoma can travel through shadows?" she whispered in disbelief, her mind racing.

Iida, now bruised and battered from his battle, came up beside her. "It's his newest trick. He copied a quirk from his classmate, Shihai Kuroiro. He can move through shadows just like him."

Monoma, smirking as always, stood confidently. "Well, that was close, wasn't it? If only I'd had just a bit more time..." He tilted his head mockingly toward Ochaco. "Nice try, but you should've known better than to let your guard down."

Ochaco gritted her teeth, feeling the frustration rising. She glanced over at Pony, who was now standing but still sulking, wiping away her tears. Monoma, not missing a beat, looked over at Pony and thanked her. "Your effort wasn't in vain, Pony. Thanks for softening her up."

Pony sniffled but nodded, still too disheartened to speak.

Monoma continued, his tone smug. "The quirk you just saw is called 'Black.' It's from a guy in our class, Shihai Kuroiro. He can travel through shadows, and now, so can I." He twirled the gun in his hand, clearly enjoying the tension he had created. "Fun, right?"8

Ochaco's eyes narrowed. "He's dangerous... too dangerous to underestimate." But she wasn't done yet. Adjusting her stance, she mentally prepared for round two, determined to take Monoma down despite the pain in her side.

__________________________________________________________________________

[Auther: Yo.]