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.

***

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