Today is the day of the grand event.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAaHYAsBPpMv
It’s been a week since Izuku fought Momo in their mock fight. They didn’t fight again after that, though. Momo didn’t seem interested in trying to beat Izuku again. Didn’t stop the two from hanging out and preparing for the festival in other ways.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAyXR3vP5scW
When the day came, they both knew they had prepared the best they could.
68Please respect copyright.PENANA17BOIZr4ap
C: “You could have done much more, my Prince.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANA8XRUoFCQts
Izuku ignored that voice as he sat in the waiting room along with a strangely distant Kiri. Don’t be mistaken, she was still the same loving Kiri. But something was… off.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAIeQXYN6hZe
Izuku: ‘I guess I spent too much time with Yaoyorozu. Kiri has no other friends; she must have been lonely. I have to make it up to her after this.’
68Please respect copyright.PENANAaDH2eXavEC
Momo: “Everyone, are you all ready? We’ll need to leave soon.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAq2WHcStfG3
Momo called out to the students hanging out in the waiting room.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAdscFbJJBVl
Mina: “Yep, Yaomomo! It sucks we have to wear these outfits, though. I wanted to wear my hero costume.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANADu82v92Vqq
Momo: “Tell me about it.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAFbseQVPGf0
She looks at her outfit and frowns. There are few places she can use for her quirk.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAEWzZF5zm88
Izuku looks at Momo with some concern before getting up and preparing to leave with the rest of the class. But before he could, Todoroki approached him.
68Please respect copyright.PENANA6DrQ3UUOGf
No, not him. After a moment, it became clear that his target was Kiri.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAaoVyMKrH05
Todoroki: “Kiri Midoriya.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAHwDIBFLUDV
Kiri: “Yes, Icicle?”
68Please respect copyright.PENANA6FdHYGR7e6
Mina & Uraraka: “Pffft!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAOaZOFvUSoD
Todoroki didn’t even flinch at the nickname. In fact, he liked it better than Bakugo’s HalfnHalf.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAhBTXkF0zi6
Todoroki: “On an objective basis, I know you’re above me in terms of practical strength. Despite that… it won’t change my goal.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAnU7WGeM18w
Kiri tilts her head, waiting for him to state his mission.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAVZeTxciTpu
Todoroki: “You’ve managed to get All Might’s attention, right? I won’t pry, but that only motivates me more to beat you. Prepare yourself.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAULSo8SvZXE
Kiri smiles at the determination of this hero in the making.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAORGW7OXdyQ
Kiri: “I’ll be waiting.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAWyppnkg0rD
Denki: “Oho!? What’s this? Another declaration of war? And this one is between some of the strongest kids in our class.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANArazhTbhL4a
Kirishima: “You’ll have to get in line, Todoroki! I still need to have a rematch with her. I’ve been training for it!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAzRuNe72Wun
Kiri: “I’m looking forward to it.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAuVqdmx3yVB
Bakugo and Izuku glare at them, but for very different reasons. But Izuku can’t for the life of him understand why seeing this makes him upset.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAT8BRVqNJqE
S: “Prince, you’re being very dense right now.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAU235dBZ71R
Izuku: ‘I really don’t want to hear any more suggestions from you.’
68Please respect copyright.PENANA7y5U03hPSB
Out of the five main voices, that one is the most disturbing one to the young boy. He is much too young to know the many methods of pleasure she refuses to shut up about. It takes more mental strength than he’d prefer to block her out.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAXZWtySnmvF
Izuku: ‘What she says can’t be true. Can it? Even if it is, should I…’
68Please respect copyright.PENANA2N3N6EmXFn
The boy shakes his head and tries to focus on the matter at hand. He has a sports festival to win.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAiEI6RC7aTI
K: “That’s the spirit! Bathe in their blood and claim their skulls for your throne!’
68Please respect copyright.PENANAguTSPhq47r
Ignoring his enthusiasm, Izuku grabs Kiri’s hand.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAnvlBz7epot
Izuku: “Let’s go, Kiri.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAmu3NOgQkLV
At first, her face showed surprise at Izuku’s sudden action. But it quickly melted into a sweet smile.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAXNRBn1uxpi
Kiri: “Nh.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAkrlMkhJMug
68Please respect copyright.PENANAdSDUaOzTwC
Fubuki: “Will you please relax?”
68Please respect copyright.PENANA3Oh9YmdAxI
Tatsumaki: “No, a villain can attack at any time.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAy4DyYjIpjF
Fubuki: “You know my Blizzard Group has slipped into the audience too. You don’t have to stress yourself so much.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAizMROoizi1
Tatsumaki bites her lip to prevent herself from saying something degrading about her sister’s group. This is supposed to be a good day; no need to risk it.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAaeF5l8MYzU
Right now, the Midoriya family is sitting in a special area above the audience. Similar to the announcer box but not as visible.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAlaBgLZc7Kk
Inko: “Please, you two, don’t start arguing. Not now, we need to support Izuku with everything we’ve got.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAnB3oQIV1dh
Fubuki looks at Tatsumaki, who slowly relaxes her shoulders.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAEaM0V1LGgw
Tatsumaki: “Fine.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAVQSmt8Dwiv
Inko: “Good.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAHWGnxKSnQZ
Present Mic: “The U.A sports festival!!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAGAciEbRGn9
Inko: “Look! It’s staring!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAejYCEaeEb7
Present Mic: “This event is where the hero world’s little eggs aim for each other’s throats… and the top! Our grand yearly melee!!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANARaKv74OZnu
Present Mic: “And let me guess, all you miscreants came to see them, right?? The newly formed miracle stars that shrugged off a mass villain assault with wills of steel! The department of heroic of the freshman class!! Class 1-A!!!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAK4sYI0uk2t
The Midoriya family smiled, happy to see Izuku and Kiri among those leading the pack.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAm7PMDrELhv
Inko: “Izuuuku!! Kirrrri!!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAjTD3WA4H5b
Fubuki: “Tissues?”
68Please respect copyright.PENANADcjcRV0wCK
Inko: “Thank you!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANA9CDpezpZhY
Tatsumaki: “Izuku! Kiri!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAPXTOg6xJYr
Izuku and Kiri’s eyes widen before looking up at their family.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAszETEC7Hg8
Tatsumaki: “You two got this; bring home the crown.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANANOJ39YK2Uh
Izuku: “We will!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAyXTb6uCw6z
Kiri: “Don’t worry, Onee, we’ll make you proud.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAt0eY61tYh7
Tatsumaki cuts the connection and smiles, content that they’ll do fine. But to her surprise, she felt a few other psychic signatures down there. Five, to be exact; one was even looking at her with a smirk. The one with the long red hair.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAOhEHslqEpT
Tatsumaki: ‘I didn’t know there were even more like us. Izu’s generation sure is interesting.’
68Please respect copyright.PENANAp3n7JQz4SZ
68Please respect copyright.PENANAOARoMToQGI
Kirishima: “Wow, they’re really praising us to the sky… I’m getting a bit nervous now. How about you, Bakugo?”
68Please respect copyright.PENANABRdGkqluhf
Bakugo: “No way I’m nervous; you’re just getting stage fright, wuss.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAKHVGpyyEyA
Present Mic: “And following class B, here come classes C, D, and E from the Dept. of general education! Next are the F, G, and H of the department of support! Now for the department of management’s…”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAMc4koYTWCn
Shiho: “They’re really treating us as an afterthought, huh?”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAjxajfnP51N
Karou: “They’ll be singing a different tune when we’re done.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAhwAHiN4dTJ
Present Mic: “And finally, your first-year umpire! Give it up for Miss Midnight, the R-Rated Hero!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAlzInstDdOJ
Midnight walked and swayed onto the stage in the center of the arena. Considering her legendary appearance, it’s understandable for some of the boys to blush like mad. Their eyes were glued to every curve of that rocking body.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAYC9HHbVhnk
However, there were some that were disappointed and stupid enough to voice it.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAWve2oIj6Ki
“Man, I wish it was Tornado. She’s better.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAFRAIbtSpHn
Midnight: “Who said that!?”
68Please respect copyright.PENANACDfzClNWOh
With a crack of a whip, everyone stood at attention, not daring to upset the woman further.
68Please respect copyright.PENANACANTL3qHeU
Midnight: “The next person who says something like that will get a very painful punishment.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAUcqZN64npq
President Mic: “Uh, Midnight?”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAICSuF3jBoM
Coming to her senses, Midnight coughed and got on with the proceedings.
68Please respect copyright.PENANASz9a2iASId
Midnight: “A-Anyway. Before we officially begin, it’s time for that good old welcome pledge! Izuku Midoriya of 1-A! Come on up here!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAeVvePOgm0n
Izuku: “M-Me? W-Why?”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAdjwmegGfEB
Sero: “You placed first in the entrance exam, remember?”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAmGpaLwB9rH
Izuku: “R-Right.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAEGSBQFOjxk
The boy took a breath before forcing his legs to move up towards the stage. But every step was like moving through tar. Public speaking? Him?! Can’t be done!
68Please respect copyright.PENANAXfk4vwj3CI
Despite his worries, time would not wait for him, and soon he was standing in front of all the first years.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAAh9FeaHxxj
Izuku: ‘What the heck am I supposed to say?!’
68Please respect copyright.PENANAIkk2vR7ehC
The pressure was building as time passed in silence. Before long, he was sure the pressure would crush him. But suddenly, it all faded away into the background. The reason? He looked down at Kiri, his constant companion, and she smiled at him.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAtT9VfKeTk7
Kiri: “You can do it.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAiUeoJPOhof
Izuku: ‘She’s… right. If I can’t handle this, how can I handle being a public hero?’
68Please respect copyright.PENANA8kdMIrLFj4
The prince takes a breath and gives his first speech, one born from the desire to show the world that All Might’s successor was here.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAloAAUlWzUk
Izuku: “A few weeks ago, we were attacked by villains before we even got used to the regular flow of classes. The media can dress it up, and the teachers can praise us, but it doesn’t change the fact we nearly lost our lives.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAqkSpQbnvtq
The once excited atmosphere settled as Izuku continued his surprising words.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAFTWWfItb2k
Izuku: “It’s not something to envy, but it is something to keep in mind. Being a hero is not all fun and games; lives are at stake. Those evil men and monsters came to play with us. To break us and destroy our spirit. To send a message to the country that no one was safe.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAN7OpEAwdGq
His eyes slowly begin to glow as his spirit is laid bare for all those who can witness this event.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAjaLZX5OsVf
Izuku: “But despite everything they threw at us, WE SURVIVED AND WON!! And from those ashes of near-tragedy, we will rise to be new symbols of peace! Not just Class 1-A, but all of us. Let’s show them that all of U.A are heroes!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAUiDNOkLOWy
The crowd and even the students erupted in cheers at the speech. Even those against Class 1-A clapped or nodded their heads at Izuku’s sentiment.
68Please respect copyright.PENANArM7MrvysJL
All Might grinned and tightened his fists, for he saw the future heroes in these children. With Izuku leading them, things may change for the better.
68Please respect copyright.PENANANpeMAmzusx
Tatsumaki held her head up proud, for her brother had surpassed her expectations already.
68Please respect copyright.PENANA5GApPJeSx6
Fubuki couldn’t help but feel the same. He may seriously be able to lead like her one day. He’s not on her level yet, thankfully, but the potential is there.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAxNtWEH4MBf
Meanwhile, Inko broke out into another joyful crying session.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAstukMjNuO1
Inko: “My baaaaaby! He’s allll grown up!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAIEmoTTR6XB
68Please respect copyright.PENANAmp8Dfwts4J
Those on-site weren’t the only ones watching this. In another part of Japan, a well-kept bar was close to being reduced to ashes due to someone’s building anger.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAp6mOtnZvmc
Kurogiri sighed behind the counter as Shigaraki hurled a glass cup at the wall.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAuKRepr1c56
Tomura: “This is bullshit!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAs2H1RKg35r
Kurogiri: “Please don’t destroy the bar, Shigaraki Tomura.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAm3saXWfj6c
Tomura snarled before grabbing another glass and drinking the contents.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAtuzpI01Oar
Tomura: “Why aren’t you two more upset!?”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAxOKibEiv3C
Azrael: “Because it doesn’t profit anything. At least, not right now.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAxtA7qOx0jx
The oldest of the villainous trio was sitting on the couch watching the sports festival on the TV.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAhRTgTJnHXs
Kurogiri: “You should save that rage for when you face him.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAwyT4NIB6J0
Tomura: “That’s what really ticks me off. We could have killed him! And now, thanks to him, those brats think they’re something!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANA0ldDhQvWU9
Just then a normal-looking boy entered the room. It was Apotheosis but in civilian clothes. No one would possibly expect such an innocent-looking kid to be one of the most dangerous villains alive right now.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAGn7RVw3Rz1
Apotheosis: “What did I miss?”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAEBiH1qSEiP
Despite that, the boy knew when to dodge thrown glass.
68Please respect copyright.PENANApXW2gbN501
Apotheosis: “Ohhhh, you’re mad.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAXLeJfbWnsP
Tomura: “Shut it.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANABGUBIPtYbo
Apotheosis: “So, what got Shigi so upset?”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAGKBlcGXvc0
Azrael: “Your brother called us out and inspired the students with a speech.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAmLMqbYu165
Apotheosis’ eyes twitched a bit when he heard that his family was once again being an annoyance.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAseFDfD6ww3
Apotheosis: “I see… I don’t blame him then. I would have blasted the TV.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANA1Fvxo9EEVO
Tomura: “At least someone understands.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAeXC5bKNNWJ
Azrael sighs while shaking his head at their antics.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAXhfwd2SU7B
Apotheosis: “But this is a great opportunity; I’m glad I got here in time.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAVA7kSEUraM
Tomura: “What do you mean?”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAkE9syxXGlo
Apotheosis: “Because these heroes have given us a front row seat to see their precious successors.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAt5xrkjsbcX
Tomura: “Their so-called next symbols of peace… ”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAx1dYxQZ9ft
Even Azrael seemed to hate that idea. One was enough.
68Please respect copyright.PENANATrHy2hYeFg
Apotheosis: “Exactly. This is a good chance to see their weaknesses and habits. That way-”
68Please respect copyright.PENANASStghhfXOL
Azrael: “When we see them again-”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAUg5Jb7fFq6
Tomura: “We’ll slaughter them!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAKlZcURUaBO
68Please respect copyright.PENANAGtGYkQ0tWl
The roar of the crowd was so loud that Jiro could not dim her hearing enough, even with all her training.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAinXPqDOkza
Momo: “Here.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAX6URVFswYm
Momo handed Jiro some earmuffs. The girl gratefully took it and clapped them onto her ears.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAMQxwJBn0ct
Jiro: “Thanks, Momo.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAfTqrvOHVk3
Momo: “You’re welcome, Kyoka.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANA4qG1IQ174Q
Jiro hasn’t seen her best friend in a while. She was too busy with a certain green-haired boy. It sucks, but she understood the reasons. They all needed to train in their own way; hopefully it will pay off.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAAgoKRFh6QG
Jiro: ‘But what kind of training can prepare you for those girls?’
68Please respect copyright.PENANASS0NlLYeNz
She looks at the assembled psychics from Class 1-B and sighs.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAGAZiewrwJs
Meanwhile, Midnight squealed at the impressive speech.
68Please respect copyright.PENANARMAdViFvkH
Midnight: “What a titillating speech! What YOOOOTH!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANA8UWXt7G03T
Izuku ignored the woman’s worrying gaze and rejoined everyone else on the ground. When he did, his friends came up to congratulate him.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAlCfE6Tl2B7
Ida: “Bravoooo! An excellent speech; you’re truly worthy of the vice-president seat!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANA5Ig82pNKXK
Kirishima: “Yeah man, I didn’t expect that from you.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAz79p2fG3Mj
Denki: “Where were you hiding that confidence?”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAQUjASfOHVN
Izuku: “Well, I had some help.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANA1jC6OFTeRJ
He gave a smile to his precious Kiri, who blushed under his gaze. Momo saw the exchange and couldn’t help but feel some kind of pain in her chest.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAHj9nq8R4wK
Momo: ‘Strange…’
68Please respect copyright.PENANACXnk3mb8Um
His friends weren’t the only ones that wanted to say something to the boy.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAXD0CpYU7X3
Karou: “Nice speech, Midoriya.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAjPntsbmRiN
Everyone turned to the psychic trio, but they didn’t need to put up their defenses. She held out her hand for a handshake.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAP4s8IWZXqE
Karou: “I expected you to return our war declaration or be a jerk about it. But I’m glad to see I was wrong. You even inspired me! Whatever happens, I’m happy to have had the chance to challenge you, Izuku Midoriya.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANABZtyUBZtle
Izuku smiled and accepted the gesture.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAvsYYnfHjzi
Izuku: “Same.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANA3W0Mhb122s
Izuku: ‘These girls aren’t so bad.’
68Please respect copyright.PENANA0wJKZ5zlVC
S: “Does that mean you’ll-”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAyOukoDckBL
Izuku: ‘No!’
68Please respect copyright.PENANAQeCJRVZIkk
Midnight: “All right, with that we can move directly onto our first event! The preliminaries! Lots of fine folks end up choking on their tears here every year! And this year’s first round of destiny is-”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAjQNrXQDus3
On the big projection screen, the event’s name was displayed in big letters.
68Please respect copyright.PENANAZJ8d2dWIJz
Midnight: “The Obstacle Race! It’s a race between all the classes! The course makes a nearly 4 KM ring around this stadium! We always sing about our freedom on campus, fufufu… well, this is what it’s all about!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAN222PFiKL0
Everyone quickly went to the starting area and stretched their limbs.
68Please respect copyright.PENANARHKWpateEX
Midnight: “As for rules, you’re free to do anything so long as you remain within the course and don’t use anything lethal.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANA2JoeuikN1R
Karou: “This will be easy!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAfu72g3IOQ1
Midnight: “Oh, and I know full well that some of you have the ability to simply go around or even over the obstacles. But let me tell you, I wouldn’t recommend it. You never know what might happen, after all.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAMu1Hmuh1D3
Karou: “Darn it!”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAPLsyZafopJ
Kiri: “Ominous.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAx6obAxSWXi
Izuku: “I guess that would be too easy.”
68Please respect copyright.PENANAOva9KZkPe2
Izuku: ‘But it might be worth the risk.’
68Please respect copyright.PENANAgQxBjpfpUi
Midnight: “Now, racers! Ready, set… START!!”68Please respect copyright.PENANAb2LeNztnEd