No one's POV

After the cavalry battle they had an afternoon break, and Sora was about to meet up with Izuku and the others so they could have lunch together, only for Shoto to called out to him. He took Sora to the Faculty and Student Entrance and to Sora's surprise, Izuku was also there.

Sora: Izuku?

Izuku: Sora? Did Todoroki called you here too?

Sora: Yeah.

Then Sora look at Shoto.

Sora: So... What did you want to talk about?

Izuku: If we don't hurry, the cafeteria will probably be really crowded...

Izuku says that they should get lunch before they run out of time, but Shoto continues his cold intimidation and ignores both Sora and Izuku.

Shoto: I was overpowered. By the both of you. So much that I broke my pledge.

Both Sora and Izuku look at Shoto's left side. If he had used them during the Cavalry race, it would undoubtedly be Team Shoto's victory.

Shoto: Iida, Kaminari, Yaoyorozu, Sarada, Uraraka... None of them felt it. At that last instant, I was the only one overpowered. Only me, who had experienced All Might's full power up close.

Izuku: What... does... that mean?

When Shoto finally speaks, he says the power that came from Izuku during the Cavalry Battle was the same as All Might.

Shoto: It means I felt something similar coming from you. Midoriya, are you.. All Might's secret love child or something?

Sora: Pfft—

Sora looked away trying to hold back his laugh.

Shoto: Well? Are you?

Izuku: Th-That's not it! I mean, even if I was, I would say I wasn't, so I don't think you'd believe me, but anyway, that's not how it is... In the first place, let me ask you something... Why do you think that about me...?

Then, much to Izuku's shock, Shoto asks if he is All Might's "secret love child". Izuku attempts to explain that isn't the case, but Shoto figures out that there is a secret connection between the two.

Shoto: Since you said, "that's not how it is," that means there's a connection between, you two that you can't talk about, right?

Izuku could only look away unable to deny them. Then Shoto finally turned to Sora.

Shoto: Sora, your Father is the number three Hero, Naruto Uzumaki of the Yellow Gale. Am I wrong?

Sora: You are not.

Shoto: Since you're the son of the number three Hero, it should be right for you to know that Endeavor's my old man. I'm sure you both know that he's been stuck as the number two hero for forever. But I'm sure you know that both your old man and mine are both competing each other's position, because of that reason, I have to beat you.

Then he looked at Izuku.

Shoto: Midoriya, if you have something from the number one hero, then I... have even more reason to beat you. My old man has a strong desire to rise in the world. As a hero, he won a name for himself with crushing force. Because of that, the living legend, All Might, is a great eyesore to him. And Yellow Gale, despite being a lower ranking to him, has more popularity than he does, it irritates him to no end. Since he couldn't surpass All Might, he moved onto his next plan.

Shoto explains to Sora and Izuku that Endeavor is obsessed with defeating All Might and proving himself to be a better Hero than Yellow Gale, and although he was never able to do it, he is still trying to.

Sora:...

Izuku: What are you talking about, Todoroki...? What are you trying to tell us?

Shoto: You've heard of Quirk marriages, right? That thing that became a problem for the second and third generation after superpowers appeared Choosing a spouse based only on strengthening your own Quirk and passing it onto your children, forcing people into marriage. The old fashioned way of thinking brought about by a lack of ethics. He is a man with both accomplishments and money. He won over my mother's relatives and got a hold of my mother's Quirk. He is trying to fulfill his own desire by raising me to be a hero to surpass All Might.

Izuku and Sora were shocked hearing this. Endeavor used his money to buy out Rei Todoroki's family to implement a Quirk marriage with the intent of creating a powerful child; eventually, Shoto was born. He reveals that Endeavor only created him to annex All Might as the number one hero.

Shoto: It's so annoying... I won't become the tool of scum like that. In my memories, my mother is always crying. "Your left side is unsightly," my mother said as she poured boiling water on me.

This brought a horrified expression to Sora and Izuku's face. The reason Shoto has picked a fight with Sora and Izuku is that he wishes to show his father that he can win the festival without using his fire ability.

Todoroki: Basically, I picked a fight with the both of you to show him what I can do, without using my damn old man's Quirk... No... I'll reject him completely by winning first place without using it.

Unbeknown to Izuku and Sora, both Sarada and Katsuki had heard their conversation. Hearing this, Sora was no less shocked. But at the same time, he kinda understood Shoto's resentment towards his Father, since Sora too resented his Dad.

Shoto: I don't care if you can't tell me how you're connected to All Might. No matter what you are to All Might, I will rise above you with just my right side.

Then he turned to Sora.

Shoto: Sora, the same goes for you. Regardless of your connection with Yellow Gale, I will defeat you and prove to my old man that I can win with just my right side. Well, sorry for wasting your time.

Shoto started to walk away and Izuku was silent unable to say anything, but it was Sora who stop Shoto.

Sora: Honestly, Todoroki, I kinda understand your feelings. Because I was the same as you.

Shoto: Huh...?

Shoto did not look back only to stops and continues to listen to Sora. He was confused when Sora said that both of them were the same while Izuku was shocked from Sora saying this.

Sora: Though I have a different reason than you, I too also resented that old man of mine. Though maybe the polar opposite of you.

Shoto slightly turned around with his back still faced to Sora. They both had a staring contest before Sora break the stare and looked down upon his own hand.

Sora: In my case, I resented him because he was always away from our lives. Despite being my father, I rarely know anything about him. All he very did was treat me like some kind of kid that are unable to do anything. He doesn't even believe that I could become a Hero. That's why I said that we are the same and at the same time we're polar opposite.

Shoto:...

Sora: You always had your Dad's attention but you resent him. I on the other hand was always ignore by my own old man that I resented him. But still...

Sora then looked resolutely.

Sora: It doesn't matter if he's not looking at me. I'll prove to him that I can win with my full strength. Despite having almost similar Quirks, I'm gonna prove that this power is my own. It's not his. So forgive me for saying this, as I am now, I won't lose to anyone right now.

Izuku looks at the two staring down at each other.

Izuku(mind): If this were a comic, they would both be the main character. That was the kind of backstory they both had. Compared to that, what I could say..?

Izuku then walks forward and faces the both of them.

Izuku: I..! I have always been supported by others. That was the case earlier, too.

Shoto and Sora look over to Izuku as they continue to listen to him.

Izuku: I am here because of the people who have supported me. Saving people with a fearless smile, the greatest hero—All Might. I want to be like him. In order to do that, I have to be strong enough to become number one. My motivation might seem trivial compared to the both of yours, but I can't lose, either. I have to live up to the hopes of those who supported me. The declaration of war you gave earlier— I'll return that. But not only just to you, Todoroki.

Izuku with determination clenches his fist.

Izuku: Sora and Todoroki, I will beat the both of you!

Izuku declare that, despite his inferior motivations, he will still do his best to defeat both Sora and Shoto. Sarada and Katsuki secretly listens to their conversation from a distance.

(Timeskip)

After lunch, Present Mic announces that before the finals, participants can take part in recreational side games.

Present Mic: Now that lunch is over, It's finally time to reveal the last game! But before that, there's good news for all of you who didn't make it to the finals! This is just a sports festival! So we've prepared recreational games that everyone can participate in, too! We ve even brought real cheerleaders from America to liven things up! Huh?

Aizawa: What are they doing?

Kakashi: Why are they in cheerleader costume too.

Sora and Izuku notice that, along with the cheerleaders hired by U.A., girls from Class 1-A are dressed as cheerleaders.

Present Mic: What's the matter, Class A? What kind of fan service is that?

Mineta and Kaminari both give each other a thumbs up and Momo looked at them annoyed. They were fooled into wearing them by Denki and Minoru, much to Momo's dismay.

Momo: Mineta! Kaminari! You tricked us, didn't you?!

Momo falls to ground exhausted.

Momo: Why am I always caught up in Mineta's schemes...? I even used Creation to make the outfit...

Jiro: Those guys are so dumb!

Jiro says as she threw her pom pom away.

Hagakure: Well, there's still time before the finals, and it'd be a pain if things got tense. It's fine! Let's do it!

Jiro: What?!

Tsuyu: Toru, you like this, huh?

Sora: Kukuku...It looks like they got you good, huh?

The girls then see Sora walking up to them.

Ochako: Sora! Where were you? I was looking for you and Deku.

Sora: We both kind of got caught up in something.

Sora then looks over to Sarada who were standing still like a statue. She was frozen in embarrassment when she realized she too got caught in Mineta and Kaminari's scheme.

It was then she finally realized the one person whom she didn't want to see had a smug look on his face.

Sarada: Shut up!

Sora: *Grin* ^_^ Look at you. Who would have thought you were the type to were something so revealing. It looks nice.

Sarada immediately looked annoyed as she finally broke out of her frozen stature as she blushes out of embarrassment.

Sarada: I don't need your flattery!

Sora: Ahahahaha! Oh man, I wonder what Uncle Sasuke will react when he sees you in this!

Sarada: I said shut up, dammit!

Sarada reply by punching Sora on the face which sent him flying a few meter back.

Izuku: Gah...! Sora...!

Sora: Ow! What was that for?!

Sarada: Another word from you and I'm strangling you to death!

Now that jokes aside, it's time to begin the next event.

Present Mic: Alright, everyone! Let's have fun competing in the recreational games! When that's over, the 16 from the four students that made it to the final round will duke it out tournament style, one on one!

The 16 people that had passed through the preliminary rounds were, Hitoshi Shinso, Nirengeki Shoda, Mashirao Ojiro, Aoyama Yuga on 4th place, Momo Yaoyorozu, Denki Kaminari, Tenya Iida, and Shoto Todoroki on 3rd place, Mina Ashido, Hanta Sero, Eijiro Kirishima, and Katsuki Bakugo on 2nd place, and Ochako Uraraka, Sarada Uchiha, Sora Uzumaki, and Izuku Midoriya on 1st place.

Kirishima: The last round is a tournament where we fight one-one, huh? I'm gonna stand on the stage that I watch every year on TV!

Mina: Was it a tournament last year?

Sero: It's different every year, but there's a one-on-one competition every year. Last year, it was a sport chanbara match.

Eijiro and Hanta explain to Mina that the final round of the festival differs every year, although it is always a one-on-one competition.

Midnight: Now, let's draw lots to determine the bracket. Once the bracket is determined, we'll have the recreational games and then start! The sixteen finalists can choose whether or not they want to participate in the recreation. I'm sure some of you want to rest or save your strength. Now, from the first place team—

Ojiro: *raises hand* Um...! Excuse me. I'm withdrawing.

Mashirao withdraws himself from the competition before the lots are drawn, shocking everyone in his class.

Izuku: Ojiro, why?

Tenya: This is a rare chance for pros to see you!

Ojiro: I barely remember anything from the cavalry battle until almost the end. I think it was that guy's Quirk.

Sora: Wasn't it the guy with the purple hair...? Hitoshi Shinso if I'm correct.

Sora then looks over to Shinso as the purple haired boy just looks away.

Ojiro: I know that this is a great chance and that it's foolish to waste it...

Izuku: Ojiro...

Ojiro: But—Everyone here competed by giving it their all! I can't... I can't be up there with everyone without knowing what really happened.

Toru : You're worrying too much about it! You should just make sure you produce results in the finals!

Mina: If you're gonna say that I didn't do anything either.

Ojiro: That's not it... I'm talking about my pride here... I can't... Also, why are you guys wearing cheerleader outfits?

Girls: Gulp!

Another students walks up and then starts to speak.

Shoda: I'm Nirengeki Shoda from Class B. I also want to withdraw for the same reason. Regardless of ability, don't you think it goes against the goal of this sports festival for those who didn't do anything to move onto the final round?

Kirishima: What's with these guys?! They're so manly!

Kirishima said tearing up. With such unusual turn of events... everyone relied on Midnight for her answer being the one in charge of accepting these kinds of request.

Midnight: Youthful talk like that is something... I like! Shoda! Ojiro! I accept your withdraw!

Everyone(mind): She decided based on her tastes...!

Midnight: In that case, we'll have to move up two people from Team Kendo, the 5th place cavalry battle team...

Kendo: If that's what's going to happen, then rather than us, who barely did anything during the cavalry battle, it should be them, right?

Kendo' team all nodded their head.

Kendo: The ones who fought to the end and stayed in the top, Team Tetsutetsu, right?

Tetsutetsu: Kendo...!

Kendo: This isn't collusion or anything. It just makes sense.

Tetsutetsu: Y-You guys...!

Midnight allows them to withdraw and decides that the newly opened spots will be filled in with members from the fifth place team: Team Kendo. However, Itsuka Kendo gives the opportunity to Team Tetsutetsu because they fought harder during the Cavalry Battle.

Midnight: And so, Tetsutetsu and Shiozaki have moved up to make 16! This is the bracket based on the results of the drawing!

With all the participants set, Midnight discloses all of the match-ups for the first bracket:

1st match; Izuku Midoriya vs. Hitoshi Shinso

Izuku: Shino... I believe... It's...

2nd match; Shoto Todoroki vs. Hanta Sero

Shoto(mind): I'll be facing him faster than I thought.

3rd match; Sora Uzumaki vs. Denki Kaminari

Kaminari: Oh! It's Sora right off the bat!

Sora: Sorry, but I'm taking the win, Kaminari!

4th match; Tenya Ida vs. Ibara Shiozaki

Shiozaki: Let's have a fair match.

Tenya: Just what I hoped for.

5th match; Mina Ashido vs. Yuga Aoyama

Aoyama: Merci~Too bad you got me as your opponent.

Mina: You mean, too lucky!

6th match; Sarada Uchiha vs. Momo Yaoyorozu

Sarada: I'm not going to hold back, Momo!

Momo: Th-That's what I want!

7th match; Eijiro Kirishima vs. Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu

Kirishima and Tetsutetsu: Again?! This is too redundant!

8th match; Katsuki Bakugo vs. Ochako Uraraka

Katsuk: Huh? Uraraka?

Ochako: *glup*

(Timeskip)

The recreational games commence and many of the finals qualifiers use the opportunity to prepare themselves. After Cementoss finishes building the fighting arena, the finals begin.

Present Mic: Hey guys! Are you ready?! A lot's happened, but it's now come to this! A serious battle! You can only depend on yourself! Even if you're not a Hero, you'll face a lots of situations like that! You get it, right? Heart, skill, body, wisdom, and knowledge! Use all of that to rush up!

Now begin the first match of the final event. Izuku and Shinso.

Present Mic: Match number 1– Even though he's done well, what's with that face? From the Hero course, it's Izuku Midoriya! Vs— Sorry, he hasn't done anything to stand out yet! From general studies, it's Hitoshi Shinso! The rule is simple! Force your opponent to out of bounds, or immobilize them! You can also win by making your opponent say, 'I give up'! Because we've got our very own Recovery Girl waiting on standby! Put your morals and ethics aside for a moment! But of course, anything life threatening is crap! It's not allowed! Heroes should only use their fist to catch villains!

Cementos: I'll stop things if they go too far.

On both sides, Izuku takes the stage to battle Hitoshi. Now the final event has finally begun.