Chapter 20

At the moment, Bakugo Katsuki knows it's not suitable to start a fight with Shoto Todoroki alone. After all, it would be incredibly tough to win on his own. Akira's quirk has been noted as tricky in Bakugo's analysis, making him a challenging opponent.

Currently, Bakugo is still training and taking exams, but his extreme approach clashes with the ideals of a hero. People like him would struggle to become true Heroes.

Meanwhile, Shoto Todoroki moves swiftly. Out of eight floors, he's reached the fourth, freezing the entire building. Even with a strong quirk, he doubts Akira could withstand the cold in such a confined space.

"Mr. Todoroki, we meet again." Akira smiles from the end of the corridor. Behind him is the entrance to the sixth floor.

"No way, Akira intends to face Bakugo Katsuki and Shoto Todoroki alone?" Ojiro Mashirao says in surprise, unable to believe what he's seeing.

Kirishima Eijiro clenches his fist with admiration. "That's the spirit!"

"Why do I suddenly think Akira looks really cool?" Hagakure Toru remarks.

"Huh?" The classmates look at her, and Aoyama Yuga, fiddling with his hair, asks, "Ye Yinchan, do you… like Akira?"

"Wh—don't you all think he's cool?" Hagakure stammers. No one can tell if she's blushing since she's invisible.

"I think Todoroki is pretty cool too," Jiro nods, and a few girls agree.

"Please watch the match closely, everyone. It'll be our turn soon," Ida Tenya reminds them, bringing everyone's focus back to the screen.

Shoto Todoroki stays silent and makes his move. With a slight stomp, an ice stream surges toward Akira, attempting to freeze him.

Akira has anticipated this move. Calmly raising his right hand, a thin electric current pierces through Todoroki's ice stream.

Todoroki's expression shifts slightly as he finally registers Akira's power. Even for a student, Akira's strength is no joke. Yet, he's determined to give it his all.

Pushing his hands forward, Todoroki creates a larger wave of ice aimed at Akira.

"Bring it on." Akira grins, condensing his lightning power. "Lightning Style: Chidori Sharp Spear."

A blue beam of thunder as thin as a thumb emerges from his palm, slicing through Todoroki's ice like a blade, shattering it instantly.

This Chidori Sharp Spear, a technique adapted from Naruto's Chidori, trades some raw power for increased reach. Currently, Akira can extend it up to about 1.5 meters.

After using it, Akira notices a slight drain in his stamina, realizing this skill can't be overused.

Todoroki is surprised. He's never seen a quirk like Akira's that can form a sharp, cutting line of electricity.

"What kind of technique was that?" a student asks, astonished. They begin to see Akira not just as a classmate, but almost as a seasoned Hero.

Even All Might frowns, sensing Akira's potential. His skills resemble those of a pro Hero, though he still lacks in some areas. This validates the school's decision to place Akira in the Heroes course.

"All right, my turn!" Bakugo Katsuki yells, charging forward from behind. Flames crackle in his palms as he lunges toward Akira, preparing a big blast.

"Then let's go!" Akira readies himself, aware of Todoroki's and Bakugo's combined strength. But he's confident he can handle it.

"Die!" Bakugo shouts, blasting an explosion toward Akira. Gray-black smoke billows out, creating an opening.

Seizing the opportunity, Akira slips through the smoke. With his left hand, he manipulates the air to suppress Bakugo's flames, limiting the blast to mostly smoke.

Akira then closes the distance and reaches Bakugo, who's caught off guard by Akira's speed. With a quick move, Akira touches Bakugo's chest, delivering a shock that brings Bakugo to his knees.

Suddenly, an ice stream traps Akira's right hand. Shoto Todoroki, standing nearby, says coldly, "I won't let you win."

A larger wave of ice erupts, forcing Akira to retreat to the sixth floor. Finding a spot outside the camera's view, he shakes his right hand, shattering the ice with a burst of air.

"I've frozen his right hand. It'll take him a while to recover," Todoroki tells Bakugo. "You stay here."

However, Bakugo grabs Todoroki's foot, gritting his teeth. "I… won't lose to him."

Todoroki says nothing, acknowledging Bakugo's pride.

"Can you keep up?" Todoroki asks.

"No problem!" Bakugo replies, fueled by his determination as they make their way up to the sixth floor together.