Chapter 25 - Third Round: Tournament

"Now that lunch is over, it's time to reveal the final game!" Present Mic announced. "But before that," He paused and adjusted his shades to look clearly at what he or everyone is seeing.

"We do have assigned cheerleaders, but what are you doing here, girls of Class 1-A? Blending in like them?" He asked with confusion seen upon his face.

Two sides of the arena, one of them is where the true cheerleaders are, and the other? Not really cheery leaders at all. No pun intended.

At that side is the girls of Class 1-A, wearing identical cheerleading outfit with a gloomy look on each of their face, except for Toru Hagakure.

In front of them is Denki and Minoru with a blush on their face, complementing each other by giving a thumbs up.

"Mineta! Kaminari! You tricked us, didn't you?!" Momo shouted with anger.

Why are they wearing cheerleader clothes? Well, this happens.

==Flashback==

During lunchtime, Mineta and Kaminari are walking together side by side after eating their lunch. They're walking towards Momo and Kyoka, who are yet to eat theirs.

"Yaoyorozu, Jiro." Pichu called their attention.

"Hm? Did you need something?" The Vice President of 1-A asked.

"Well," Minoru Mineta started. "I'm sure you already know since you're the Vice President and all, but they said that every girl has to wear those clothes to do a cheer battle in the afternoon."

"Huh?!" Kyoka is taken aback, having her earphone jacks raised and aimed at the boy if what he said is false.

"I didn't hear anything about an event like that, though..." Momo doubted. She did hear that there is a cheerleading squad, but something like what Mineta said exists? Pretty suspicious.

"You don't have to believe me, but I heard it from Aizawa-sensei." The boy said with Denki, whose arms are crossed, was nodding.

"I thought you forgot about it, so I had to tell you just in case."

==Flashback End==

"Why do we always caught in Mineta's schemes? I even used Creations for these outfits..." A dejected Momo Yaoyorozu plops to the ground before Ochako and Amelia knelt on her level and pat her back, comforting the Vice President of Class 1-A in any way she can.

"Those dumbass." A blushing, embarrassed Kyoka Jiro lashed out her anger as she threw the pompoms to the ground before crossing her arms.

"Well, there's still time before the real fight starts, and it'd be a pain if things got tense." Toru Hagakure said, wanting to lighten the atmosphere while raising her hands and shakes the pompoms.

"It's fine! Let's do it!" She happily said. The Earphone Jack user was not happy about it.

"You really like this, huh, Toru-chan?" Tsuyu asked. Surprisingly, she didn't have any reactions after knowing that they got tricked by Kaminari and Mineta.

"Go change." A direct command made the girls' eyes widen as they look at Izuku, who was near them.

"Huh?" Each girl was confused by what he said.

"You don't want to get embarrassed, right? You can go back inside and change." He said.

"No, it's too late for that," Momo said, showing her smile, but a sad one at that.

"I see." Then he glared at the duo and gave them a 'You're lucky this time' look.

Seeing the green-haired boy's glare made them shiver as if they're on the top of a snowy mountain.

"If that's the case, come on girls, follow me." He said as the girls all looked at him.

"I know it's embarrassing because you're somehow the spotlight of the media. The least I can do to lessen the burden is to guide you to the cheerleading squad." Izuku responds with a smile.

A look and sigh of relief came out of the girls of Class 1-A. Not only it's their first-time 'being' cheerleaders, the fact that everyone's eyes are on them is not really helping. Kind of like stage fright, if you know what the author means.

"Thank you, Midoriya-kun." Momo thanked as her hand was placed above her chest.

One by one, they follow Izuku, and soon they're with the cheerleading squad, asking them if it's okay to let the 1-A girls join them.

Some of them asked why and how, and the answer that came out of his mouth is that they were tricked. That's all. He'll let the 1-A girls explain since he had no idea what fully happen, but at least he knows they got tricked.

Leaving the girls to the squad, he walked towards the duo that went stiff every step he takes, closing the gap between each other.

Arms crossed with a serious look, the boy asked, "You going to explain your actions?"

Because of their throats clogged with guilt, they failed to find the words to respond.

Inhaling, they bow their heads and apologized. "We're sorry for our actions and will not do it again!"

Their apology catches the ear of every class and all eyes are on them.

"Do you swear?" Izuku asked. And they respond with a 'Yes' in sync.

"Alright." A burden lifted their-

"But." Never mind. Looks like Izuku's not done with them.

"Remember this," He noted. "One is enough, two is too much, and three? You know what it means and what will happen to you." With that, he walked past them and return to his class.

As soon as he reaches them, Present Mic shouted, "Alright! Let's have some fun competing in the recreational games! And after that, the sixteen from the four teams that made it to the final round will fight-it-out tournament style, one-vee-one!"

"The last round is a tournament where we fight one on one, huh?" Kirishima asked, his eyes are shivering with excitement and happiness before he continued his speech. "I'm gonna fight on the same stage that I watch on TV every year!"

Mina, who was behind him, let out a question saying, "Was it a tournament last year?"

"It's different every year, but there's always a one-on-one competition every year. Last year is a chanbara match." Sero answered.

"You mean those last rounds we did before this didn't happen last year or the other year?" The green-haired boy's curiosity raised like his eyebrows as he said that.

"Yeah."

"Now, let's draw lots to determine the bracket for the sixteen students." Midnight announced as she holds the 'Lots' box.

"Once the brackets are determined, we'll go straight to the recreational games and then start. The finalists have the freedom to either participate in the games or not, but I'm sure some of you will either rest or save your strength. And now, for the first tea-"

"Excuse me." A student interrupted her speech and caused everyone to look at that person. It was Mashirao Ojiro.

With some sweat and doubts on his face, he mustered all courage for him to speak one simple sentence.

"I want to withdraw."

A lot of gasps filled the arena. Most are filled with confusion and others are filled with shock. For Izuku, though, he didn't let out a gasp. Only raised his eyebrows in a shocking expression.

You can hear every student whisper and mutter in the background as Tenya Iida, the Class 1-A president, face him and asked him the most obvious question.

"Ojiro-kun, why? This is a rare chance for the pros to see you!" This time he didn't do any arm movements, indicating a serious expression about the situation they're in.

Lowering his arms with guilt and slightly looking down in shame, he spoke the truth. "I barely remember everything from the start of the cavalry battle until the end. I know this is one in a million chance, and it's foolish to waste it." He clenched his fist in frustration.

"But." He added. "Everyone here competed with everything they have and I can't." He stuttered for a second. "I don't deserve to be at the top with everyone without knowing what happened from the very beginning."

"You're worrying too much." Said a worried Hagakure, trying to cheer him up. "You should just make sure you produce results in the finals."

Ashido joined the cheering as she spoke out. "If you say that, I didn't do anything earlier as well."

Putting his hand on his face, he said with distraught, "That's not it." He paused before continuing. "I'm talking about my pride here... I can't..."

"It's okay." Even if Mashirao's face is covered, you can imagine his eyes widen as he heard those words. Then, he heard footsteps growing nearer as he removed his hand, raised his head and all he can see is face-to-face with Izuku Midoriya, who had a look of sympathy.

"If that's how you feel, I understand. We won't blame you for what you've done." Izuku rested his right hand on the boy's shoulder, still locking eyes with his classmate. A small smile formed on the green-haired boy's face as Ojiro returned one with his own.

"Thank you, Midoriya." Ojiro, feeling relief that someone understands their situation.

"I'll say it again. This situation you're in doesn't stop you from becoming a hero. There are opportunities, but different paths. If Plan A doesn't work, go to Plan B. If Plan B failed, then go to the next plan until Plan Z. Nothing can stop you from choosing your own path, Ojiro-san." Izuku's at it again with his 'Motivational Speech no Jutsu'.

The smile on Mashirao Ojiro's face went wide as he responded, "You don't know how grateful I am to meet you, Midoriya."

"Likewise." Then, the green-haired boy retracted his hand that is resting on the blonde-haired boy's shoulder.

In the background, you can see Tenya Iida's mouth quivering with emotion, moved by his friend's speech to raise Mashirao Ojiro's spirit. The same goes for Eijiro Kirishima and Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu who were crying after hearing the manliness speech of Izuku.

As for the Class 1-B girls, they were all staring at him with slightly opened mouths and a look of admiration. To think that someone in that group has that confidence, it's utterly speechless.

For the boy named Neito Monoma, you can hear him letting out a 'Tsk' sound as he looked away.

Hitoshi Shinso, on the other hand, was staring at the green-haired boy emotionless.

Midnight was smiling warmly, looking very proud at Izuku Midoriya

Someone from the boys of Class 1-B stood out, catching the Rated-R Heroine's attention, and announced, "I'm Shoda Nirengeki from Class 1-B. I also want to withdraw with the same reason as his."

He looked away and raised his hand over his chest as he continued to speak. "Despite the abilities, don't you find it odd that it goes against the objectives of the Sports Festival for those who didn't do anything to move on to the final round?"

As he was continuing his speech, Izuku went into his own world along with Shadow as he thought, "(The same goes for him...)"

"(I'm sensing a pattern here, bro.)" Shadow replied as the boy agreed to the statement.

"(Then, that means...)" Before he even put the pieces together, another voice caught everyone's attention.

"I'm Fumikage Tokoyami of Class 1-A. I would like to withdraw for the same reason as them. That's all."

"(What a quick message!)" Izuku and Shadow synced as Eijiro was crying and complimenting the trio that they have enough manliness to say what is on their minds.

"(So...)" The green-haired boy continued. "(The pieces were put together.)" Then, he looked around and saw the purple-haired boy, the leader that caught up to them during the Cavalry Battle round, Hitoshi Shinso.

Unaware of the hero nerd, Amelia was looking at where he's staring. She figured out not because Izuku's staring at Shinso, but because of the clues. It's already there. Ojiro, Shoda, and Tokoyami withdrawing, she wonders if the purple-haired boy's Quirk is a mind manipulation or something.

"Isn't this an unexpected turn of events?" Present Mic stated through the mic. "We'll see what Midnight has to say about this," Aizawa responded.

Midnight stared at the whole batch of the first-year students before she announced. A smile formed on her face, not that seductive look, but one that shows an expression of pride.

"For you youthful kids to say something like that..." She didn't continue and decided to give her results. "Ojiro, Shoda, Tokoyami! I accept your withdrawal."

"If that is the case, then we need three students to move up from the fifth place cavalry team..." Midnight pondered as she laid eyes on the fifth-place team full of girls. Itsuka Kendo, a dark green-haired girl named Setsuna Tokage, a girl by the name of Reiko Yanagi, and a brown-haired girl whose haircut is the same as Ochako Uraraka with slight differences. She is Kinoko Komori.

"Ah. If that's the case, rather than us who hardly did anything in the cavalry battle, it would be Team Tetsutetsu, right?" Itsuka looked at her teammates with both hands on her hip. They all agreed to what she says.

"Kendo..." Tetsutetsu spoke, speechless much like his teammates, Ibarra Shiozaki, Juzo Honenuki, and Yosetsu Awase.

"You guys fought valiantly until the end, so you deserve it." The class president said with a smile.

"Y-You, guys..." Eyes and mouth are quivering for Tetsutetsu while Ibarra Shiozaki smiled warmly. For the two teammates, Yosetsu, the one with a headband, replied, "I can withdraw."

"Same for me." Juzo Honenuki replied after, making Itsuka Kendo raised her eyebrows in a slight shock.

"Eh? Why?"

"It's because you gave us the chance to move up, and we decided that we'll let you take the spot."

"But-"

"No buts, Kendo." Yosetsu stopped her. "It's our choice, anyway."

Looking at the boys for a few seconds, Itsuka sighed before turning around to look at her teammates.

They all give a thumbs up, accompanied by encouraging and motivating words and also a smile on each of their face.

Guessing there's no choice, the orange-haired girl gave in. "Can't help it. Alright, I'm in."

Tetsutetsu and Ibarra were smiling, knowing that their Big Sister joined the final round. "And with that, Tetsutetsu, Shiozaki, and Kendo have moved up to the sixteen!" Midnight exclaimed, loud enough for the crowd to hear the announcement.

"And now," She slashed the air with her whip. "Here are the brackets based on the outcome of the drawings!"

Then the screen showed the brackets of whoever students will face against each other, either classmate or batch.

As soon as Izuku tried to look where his name and his opponent is, he heard two voices shouted in sync. "Again?! This is too redundant!"

Those voices belong to Eijiro Kirishima and Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu. "(Looks like they're at it again.)" Izuku thought with a deadpan look.

"Oh, I forgot!" Midnight made a comedic act by slamming her hand on her face with a frustrated expression and voice.

"There's a catch." She said, quickly turning his attitude 180. From acting to a smirking devil.

"If ever one of you will advance to the next bracket, it will be randomized again. For example, if Midoriya and Tetsutetsu will face off the next round, it won't be that. As I said, the keyword there is randomize."

"Ah, I get it," Izuku whispered. "If some advance to the next quarter-finals, their opponents will be randomized.

"That never happened before," Amelia stated.

"Probably to make it fair or to make the round seem more chaotic or fun." A straightforward Tsuyu replies.

Everyone looked at the opponents while Izuku focused on his first foe.

"(Hitoshi Shinso...)"

"That's you, right?" A voice from behind made Izuku jumped and turn around to see Shinso there.

Both students only made eye contact, never saying a word until Shinso said, "I'm looking forward to our match."

Izuku acknowledged. "Likewi- mpf?" A tail from a certain student prevented him to answer.

"Midoriya." It was Mashirao Ojiro who shushed him. Shinso smirked before walking away with both hands inside the pockets.

As soon as he's far away, Ojiro retracted his tail and the green-haired boy turn around to ask him, "Ojiro-kun, what is it?"

"Don't answer him." Such a simple sentence is enough for Izuku to figure out Shinso's Quirk. Looking back at the path where his foe walking away, the boy answered, "Understood."

Somewhere near Izuku, Katsuki Bakugo was staring at the opponent he's facing.

"Huh? Uraraka?" He said with a look that's a mix of confusion and unimpressed. Behind him is where Ochako Uraraka is, silently yelped and shivered in horror.

Amelia looked at Momo with a determined smile and said, "Don't hold back, Yaomomo!"

"I tend not to, Amelia-chan!" Momo said, returning the favor with a smile. Apparently, there's a slight sweat on her face.

While that is happening, Izuku heard someone calling Tenya's family name and he recognized it quickly. "Are you Iida?"

"Ah, indeed, I'm Iida."

"Good! There's something I want to tell you..."

==Time Skip==

It took like five minutes or so until the screen changes with the word 'Recreation' word on it. Looks like it's time.

"Alright!" Present Mic shouted, who tried to be the Canadian Owl of the Banana Bus Squad.

"Let's put the tournament aside for a momentary interlude!" On cue, fireworks lit up in the sky. "Let's have fun with the Recreation Games!"

Most of the first-year students joined the recreation games. Even if they were told to have fun, those in the tournament wouldn't have that time.

Some were polishing, finding strategies to defeat their opponents.

Others are prepared for the fight, sharpening their senses, or trying to relax their nerves.

As for Izuku Midoriya, you can take a guess where he is now.

==Somewhere slightly far from the stadium==

'Meow'

"You want more pets?"

'Meow'

"Okay, okay, Your Highness. Here."

Izuku sat under the trees that were located near his house, petting Mittens who was sitting on his lap, getting petted by his own- I mean, servant. Yes, a servant.

'Bark'

"Yeah, yeah, I won't forget about you either, buddy." He smiled at his right, where Yuram, his Golden Retriever puppy, sat beside him.

Yes, he was smiling the whole time, having the time of his life, enjoying and relaxing. Which defies the part where the sixteen students couldn't have fun at the right time.

And yes, he went straight to his house as soon as the Recreation Games started. Cooking and eating together with his pets and having them on leash in case they would go everywhere within the school campus.

As he continued petting them, he heard voices nearby.

"Ah, mou! Where is Izu-cha- Ah." Looks like someone who's finding Izuku have found him at last.

It's none other than the Big Three, Mirio Togata, Nejire Hado, and Tamaki Amajiki.

"Whaaa! Kawaii!" Nejire shouted with happiness, looking at Izuku's pets. "Where did you find them, Izu-chan?! Did you adopt them?! Do they live here?! Oh! Can I pet them?! Please? Please? Please?!"

"Calm down, Nejire-chan." Mirio held her back and also her automatic bullets of questions right at their kouhai, who was smiling at her being herself yet again.

"Kawaii..." Tamaki, the humanoid kitten, whispered with a lovely smile, looking at Izuku and his pets. The kouhai noticed it and smiled back.

"This cutie Ragdoll kitten is Mittens and right here," After looking at his lap kitten, he gestured his right hand on the puppy's head. "This is Yuran, my trusty Golden Retriever puppy."

"Yuran?" The group asked in sync, causing Izuku to be slightly taken by surprise before he answered. "Believe it or not, I kinda named him myself." He scratched his head. "It's a rare name if you ask me, but in my own terminology, the name Yuran means 'Friend of the Heroes'. Even the manager who gave me them asked me that question."

"Oooh!" They understood. "Wait, does that mean they're in the pet care?"

"Actually, I found them in an alleyway near my house during New Year. I went to the vet and give them vaccines before I fully adopt them. The manager told me that time that they're around two or three weeks old."

"Poor little fellas." A sad expression can be seen on Nejire's face as she kneels down and pets Mitten's head before petting Yuran next.

"To think people like them still exist..." Tamaki muttered, his eyes are covered and darkened, emitting a menacing aura.

"I want to teach them a lesson..." A fearsome glare on his face appeared, making the trio tensed and shaking in terror.

"Calm down, Tamaki." Mirio calmed him.

"Ah." The sudden fearing aura from the third-year student quickly fades away in the wind before he went to another tree, sat down, and hugged his legs as he hid his face.

"Sorry." He let out, truly and utterly embarrassed by what he did right now. Even if his face is hidden, you can imagine his face is tomato.

"It's okay, kitty." Nejire encouraged with a bright smile, followed by the boys. "We're with you, though. We want to know their locations as well."

"But," Izuku looked down as Mittens stretched her joints and got off of Izuku's lap before she began to play with Yuran. Izuku chuckled at Mitten's playfully hitting the puppy's face.

"Seeing them having the time of their life, I'll forget those evil people and focus on taking care of them with the love and life they truly deserve."

"You're right." Mirio agreed and Nejire nodded as she sat beside Izuku and they all watch the pets playing around the trees, making the four students giggled and laugh as time pass on.

There was one instance where Mittens looked up, locking eyes with Izuku, who bend his face and kissed Mittens who leaned in. You don't believe this, but this scene made Nejire stared in awe. Mittens were showing her full trust in her servant. At the same time, the periwinkle-haired girl pouted, knowing that Izuku's first 'kiss' is with a kitten.

After a few minutes, Tamaki asked his kouhai, "Hey, Izuku."

"Yes, senpai?"

"Isn't it time for you to return?"

...

"Huh?" Izuku was confused until he heard the shout.

"Hey, guys! Are you ready?!"

...

"Oh, shit!!!" And that, my viewers, is a JoJo Reference.

"Mittens, Yuran, get inside!" Picking up the kitten in his arms, Izuku went inside followed by his puppy.

After saying that he'll see them later, he went outside and said, "Okay, I gotta go on ahead! Talk to ya later!"

"Ah, wait for us, Izu-chan!"

==A Few Seconds Later==

"You're a little late, Young Midoriya." All Might, or Toshinori in his true form, scolded the young hero-in-training who was catching breath after a nonstop marathon from his house to the stadium.

"Got lost... in time... Sorry." In between words, he's slowly recovering until he's face-to-face with his teacher.

"Anyways," The hero changed the topic. "You know what are you gonna do?" He asked and received a nod of approval that made him smile proudly.

"Midoriya! Long time no see!" Looking back, Izuku saw Vidal and another man.

"Oh, Bee!" Toshinori called with happiness.

"Hi, Dad." He waved at his father.

"It's nice to meet you again, Vidal-sensei." The hero nerd bows down, showing respect to the pro hero before turning his attention to the blonde-haired man.

"Vincent Yagi at your service." He offered his hand and the boy accepted it.

"How's your hero life in Mexico?"

"As usual, taking down and capturing villains. It has been pretty boring lately. Mom told me a Sports Festival is happening, so might as well watch it." The son answered.

"Onii-chan!" A feminine voice joined as Vincent was attacked from behind.

"Ack!" He fell forward as he was about to involve Izuku, who's about to become a pin cushion. With quick reflex, the hero nerd went out of the way, making the son fell face first.

"Don't just come crashing at my back anytime, Nana." A muffled response that was meant for scolding the figure who's now revealed to be the daughter, Nana Namie Yagi.

"Hello, Nana-san." The hero nerd greeted.

"Ah." She stood up quickly and faced the boy with a smile. "Hello, Midoriya."

"You've... met him?" Vincent asked in slight pain while standing up and holding his lower back, which still hurts.

"Uh-huh. I met him when there's an incident in the U.A High School not long ago."

"I see." Knowing that he'll ask some questions later about the events, Toshinori stared at Izuku, saying, "Young Midoriya, remember to give it all."

"I intend to, Toshinori-sensei." The boy smirked.

"Then get out there and show 'em what you made of." The hero motivated him as he turns into buff form and showed him the smile that he used to save thousands and hundreds of people in his hero life.

"Heh, so you became my dad, huh?" The boy teased, surprising Toshinori who went back to his true form and coughed blood as his family laughed at his reaction.

"(Guess Todoroki-kun isn't crazy about his 'Izuku Midoriya is All Might's Secret Love Child' theory.)" A chuckling Shadow can be heard at the back of the boy's head and mind.

"(Oh, shut up.)" Izuku hushed his partner, with a slightly embarrassed expression as he avoids contact.

"Well, it's not too late for us to adopt you, Midoriya," Vidal replied with the biggest smile, causing everyone to look at her surprised.

"Thanks, but no thanks." The boy politely answered.

"Aw." She whined, but quickly changed her mood. "Then would like to hang out with Mimi here?"

"Mo-Mom!" The mentioned daughter stopped at her mother's teasing mood. Izuku looked away, not wanting the Yagi Family to know if it's a yes or no answer.

But here's the clue, Izuku was slightly blushing.

"I'll... think about it." Izuku hesitantly answered, shocking the family again.

"Talk later, a battle first. I'm gonna go ahead. See ya later!" Izuku dashed towards the entrance to the arena, preparing for the first battle of the tournament.

"That kid..." Vidal said to herself with a smile.

"Can't wait to beat that kid if he ever tries to make fun of my sister," Vincent responded with a fit of slight anger and a devilish smirk.

"Onii-chan, stop that! But hey, why are you agreeing with Mom?!"

"Then why are you protecting Midoriya-san?" His mood turns into a teasing one, making his sister embarrassed and began to play with her fingers.

"Um... that's..." She crouched down, hugging her legs as her family watches her with amusement, including Toshinori Yagi.

"Oh my God..." That is all he can say under his breath.

==Arena==

Torches lit up as the crowd roared in excitement. Present Mic added the excitement as he shouted, "Audience! The finals you've all been waiting for are about to get started! And here's Match number One!"

The screen showed up the first combatants.

"Racing his way to the finish line without using his Quirk and stayed in the first place, he's done so many amazing things that many heroes will watch and see his unexpected moves. From the Hero Course, Class 1-A, Izuku Midoriya!" On cue, Izuku walked out with a proud smile on his face.

"His opponent! Sorry, he hasn't done anything that made him stand out, but this is his chance! From the General Studies Course, Hitoshi Shinso!" The mentioned student walked out without any expression on his face.

Everyone, including the Big Three, the Yagi Family, and Miruko are back to their respective seats and stare at the two students who are walking the stairs.

"Here are the simple rules. Force your opponent out of bounds or immobilize them! You can also win by making your opponents say, 'I give up!'"

"Bring on the injuries! Because we got our very own Recovery Girl standing by! Put your morals and ethics aside for this very moment! Although you can go out, life-threatening is a no-no indeed!"

"I'll stop the battle if it goes too far" Cementoss announced after creating a solid chair at the far side of the arena.

Izuku was relaxing his muscles and nerves by taking a deep breath until he heard someone saying, "'I give up', huh?"

This opened his vision to look at Shinso, who continued his statement. "Let's see if the test of your spirit's strength has reached its expectations."

The green-haired boy only stared at him, waiting for the go-signal.

"If you know what you want in the future, then you can't worry about your appearances," Shinso replied with a glare.

"(Since when do I care about my own looks?)" Izuku mentally thought while giving a deadpan look at his opponent.

"Ready?!" The announcer started the countdown as the purple-haired boy narrowed his vision, increasing his aura of villainy.

"That monkey was going on about his pride..." The insult began, making Izuku's eyes narrow.

"Start!"

"And don't you think the same he was stupid enough to throw his chance?" Asking his opinions, Izuku resists answering no matter how disgusting the insults are.

Hitoshi Shinso can see the slowly rising anger on Izuku's face as he gains a smirk on his face and said, "The same goes to the fat and hatchlings, right?"

"But," He paused. "Aren't you all happy that you're blessed with Quirks?" This made Izuku's glare fade at a slow pace.

"(Even if it's not mine, but was given to me, I know how it feels.)" Slightly gritted his teeth, knowing the feeling before and sympathize with his opponent before he took a step forward.

This act surprised Shinso, seeing how determined he was to not answer and unfazed by his insult towards his classmates. He began to say words that can make Izuku say something this time.

"Thanks to my Quirk, I'm already behind at the very start. Someone who's been blessed like you can't understand, can you?!"

"(That I do.)" The green-haired boy quickens his pace.

"Look at everyone around you! Everyone was born with ideal Quirks! Unlike me, they can reach their goals quicker than mine!"

"(I know!)" Knowing it hurts to hear those words, Izuku began to run towards his opponent. And for a split moment, he saw flashbacks. Flashbacks of him being Quirkless, admiring everyone's Quirks, even Katsuki Bakugo... and even All Might.

Admiration is what made his heart and soul wished to become a hero like All Might. But...

The balance of the unfair and fair of Life didn't give him one single thing.

Quirk.

That's what made people call those without Quirks... Quirkless. And thus, the unfair treatment of the society is what caused the Quirkless society to increase in number.

In the green-haired boy's mind, because of him Quirkless, he wants to become a hero that can save everyone even without a Quirk.

But now, with him having a Quirk, he's been questioning himself. Is he being a hypocrite? It all changes when he was announced Quirkless to his friends.

Saying that everyone can become a hero... It's so easy to say it, but hard to do it, all because some don't have a Quirk.

But now... knowing what made his opponent, Hitoshi Shinso, say all those things. There's only one thing on his mind.

That is... to save him.

By now, Izuku is at close range and grabbed his foe's shoulder and with all his strength, pushing him out of bounds.

"Say something!" Pulling his right arm back, Hitoshi delivers a punch at the boy's face. Unknown to him, Izuku felt his Spider-Sense tingling, but let himself get hit.

The punch affected his pace and let go, stepping back a few feet as the purple-haired boy chased him.

"Why won't you say something, you bastard!" Screaming, he pulls another attack, only to be deflected with Izuku's arms that form a shield.

Izuku went behind him and prepared a punch, but Hitoshi ducked down.

Then, the general studies student pulled a knee attack to the liver, causing Izuku to cough out blood. Suddenly, he felt pain in his side. A punch to the liver.

Izuku repaid the damage back to him.

Hitoshi knew he felt the excruciating pain, but that didn't stop his goal. To push Izuku out or make him say something that can easily determine him to be the winner.

He used another punch but misses. Izuku ducked down and made a sweep attack to Hitoshi's legs, making him fall. Before his foe fell to the floor, the boy raised his right arm and brought an elbow to the gut before he stood up and took a few steps back.

At the side of Izuku's mouth is blood dripping out. He wiped it off with his hand as his eyes are glued to his foe, who was slowly rising up.

"Don't..." Hitoshi glared. "Screw with me!" He outstretches his hand, shoving Izuku. But why?

Then, a sudden realization hit the hero nerd at the back of his head. He was at the edge of the arena.

He was close! Close to out of bounds!

Interrupting his mind, a hand was grabbed on his face. Determined, Izuku grabbed the boy's arm before pulling his head out of his grasp.

Grabbing the foe's collar, Hitoshi was pulled over Izuku's body, landing on his back and let out a grunt of pain.

The battle surprised the crowd, but even more surprised for the General Studies Course who are cheering for their only classmate or batch mate.

Hitoshi was thrown to the ground, but his feet landed past the border. That could only mean...

"Hitoshi Shinso is out of bounds! Izuku Midoriya will advance to the next round!" The two students heard the loud roar of excitement from the crowd, but they chose to ignore it.

His main focus is on Shinso, the boy who had a life of despair, having been born with a low-tier Quirk.

Shinso opened his eyes in anger and clenching his fists, only to see Izuku Midoriya, who is looking down on him. Which is usual.

But what he didn't expect is a hand reaching out for him.

Izuku had an indescribable look, but half of it has wavering emotion of pity.

He only swiped it away as he stands up for himself.

They heard Present Mic's shouting, but again they pay no attention to it.

Shinso was about to left the arena, but Izuku said something that entirely shocked him.

"Your Quirk, it's Brainwashing, isn't it?"

"What? But how-"

"They told me." Izuku answered and it's enough to receive a glare from Hitoshi.

"But," He declared. "There's something I want to tell you."

"If it's about cheering me up, then forge-"

"Stop." That instruction was enough to halt Hitoshi from continuing what he's saying.

"I know what you said that everyone above your class has ideal Quirks, but don't you realize that you have a good Quirk? Well, I can assume you forgot about it because I assume your jealousy got the best of you." Izuku paused for a moment before he carries on.

"Be grateful you have a Quirk. You may have a villain-like Quirk, but that's because it's only the surface of its own true colors. I assume you were bullied because you had a villain-like Quirk, whereas I was bullied. After all, I was Quirkless." Those words hit Hitoshi's soul to the core.

"My Quirk manifested at the very late period, but those years as a Quirkless person... being called worthless, useless and so much more like a piece of shit... You should be lucky that you never experience what I struggle to survive as a kid. I bet that people our age won't come near you because of your Quirk. I've been on that road before, but different perspective."

Then, Izuku stared at the purple-haired boy's eyes. "I was an outcast while you were treated like a monster. You don't have to answer this question now, but... which one is more painful than it looks?"

This drove Shinso into deep thoughts. He already knows the answer, but there's something deeper than that. All of a sudden, Izuku changed the topic.

"You're the star, Shinso-kun." Hitoshi was confused when he heard Izuku said that.

"Huh?"

"I said you're the star. Look." They both look up and saw the course of the General Studies cheering not for Izuku, but for Hitoshi Shinso, making him more confused as to where the boy's getting at.

"You think you never did anything to stand out? Let me tell you, you are wrong." The hero nerd announced.

"Does the Hierarchy of Quirks really that matter to you? Get your mind of that scientific shit." After cussing, a small smile formed on the boy's face as he looks at the purple-haired boy.

"What matters the most... is how useful our Quirk is in different ways whether you noticed it or not. Your Quirk, Brainwashing, believe it or not, it's one of the most useful Quirks that ever passed down. Why? Here are the reasons..." Then, like the usual hobby he does, he listed things Hitoshi Shinso's Quirk can be used in some situations.

Brainwashing can use to manipulate any villains and telling them to surrender peacefully without hazardous scenery, gain or acquire information from thieves, suspects, or any cases that cause havoc to society, prevent robberies and crimes that were about to happen before his very eyes; and can even change the tide of the battle for heroes.

When he listed these, the listener's expression is beyond what it looks like. Never did he expect that his Quirk is really useful by the time he'll become a hero.

"Before you leave the arena," Izuku started. "I want you to say this." Bumping his chest with his fist, he proudly said, "'I'm gonna be a hero. I'm going to show you who I really am. I'm Hitoshi Shinso, a future hero.'"

With that being said, Izuku left the arena, leaving the boy to glance at the place where his opponent was standing.

Not long, he left the arena with a smile and said the same declaration Izuku said to him in his head.

To think someone like Izuku has that confidence and power in someone's life, it's a big difference. One that can show he is a hero indeed.

And now, that closes the first round of the tournament.

=====

Original Character that is appeared in this chapter.

Vincent Yagi - The Eldest son of Toshinori Yagi and Vidal Yago, Pro Hero: ???.

This OC belonged to Astarula of DeviantArt again. He's one of the characters I asked permission and she granted it. Vincent's biography can be seen in his post.