Chapter 57: His Promise
The stadium was a vortex of pure, unadulterated sound. The final, decisive kick had landed, the verdict had been rendered, and the world was now roaring its approval for the victor.
"AND IT'S OVER! WITH A FINAL, BLISTERING ASSAULT, ROCK LEE SECURES THE VICTORY!" Present Mic's voice, hoarse with emotion, screamed through the speakers. "HE IS MOVING ON TO THE SEMI-FINALS! I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, FOLKS, BUT I NEED A MINUTE TO CATCH MY BREATH!"
In the commentary booth, Aizawa leaned back, a long, weary sigh escaping him. "Midoriya's growth in this one match was exponential," he said, his voice a low, analytical murmur. "He successfully utilized his Quirk across his entire body and walked away without shattering a single bone. For him, that is a monumental step forward." He then turned his gaze to the screen showing a close-up of Lee. "And Lee… his control over that strange, self-generated power is becoming more refined. It's no longer just a desperate gambit. It's a weapon he is learning to aim. Both of them showed the qualities of a true Pro today."
"You heard it here, listeners!" Mic chirped, his energy returning. "Rare, glowing praise from your mummified homeroom teacher! Cherish this moment!"
High in a secluded viewing room, Toshinori Yagi stood up from his chair, a wide, proud, and deeply relieved smile on his gaunt face. Be proud of yourself, Young Midoriya, he thought, his heart swelling with a mentor's pride. You didn't win the match, but you won a far more important battle today. You have finally, truly, made this power your own. You exceeded my expectations. He turned and began walking towards the door, a new purpose in his step. He needed to see his boy.
In the stands, Sora Aokawa watched the scene below, a quiet, knowing smile gracing her lips, her sharp, blue eyes filled with a fierce pride. Beside her, Mr. Tanaka let out a hearty laugh. "Magnificent! Absolutely magnificent! Our boy is unstoppable!"
On the field, Rock Lee's world was a swimming haze of sound and exhaustion. The roar of the crowd was a physical force, washing over him. He turned his head, his gaze sweeping across the tens of thousands of cheering faces. Then, his eyes found the figure of Izuku Midoriya, who was now being attended to by medics on the soft grass outside the arena. Midoriya slowly pushed himself up, his body aching, but a look of frustrated acceptance on his face. He lifted his head and his eyes met Lee's from across the distance. He gave a small, respectful nod.
Lee's heart swelled with respect for his rival. He raised his hand, wanting to return the gesture, wanting to walk over and help his friend to his feet. He took a single step forward.
And then, his body betrayed him.
There was no warning. One moment he was standing, the next his entire nervous system simply shut down. His eyes widened in shock as his limbs refused to obey. He fell, not in a slump of exhaustion, but stiffly, like a wooden plank toppling over, landing face-first on the hard concrete with a sickening thud.
His mind was perfectly clear, trapped within a body that had suddenly become a prison. What? his thoughts screamed in a silent, rising panic. I… I can't move my body!
The roar of the crowd faltered, replaced by a wave of confused murmurs. The medical team immediately rushed onto the stage towards him.
In the stands, Sora's smile vanished, replaced by a mask of cold, immediate dread. She shot to her feet.
"I'll be back in a moment," she said, her voice a sharp, clipped thing.
"Hey? Where are you going?" Mr. Tanaka asked, startled.
But Sora, her jet-black hair whipping behind her as she moved, was already gone, pushing her way with a fierce, unapologetic urgency through the thick, confused crowds.
The infirmary was quiet once more. The two beds were occupied again. Izuku Midoriya sat on his bed, a carton of milk in his hand, looking bruised but remarkably okay. Rock Lee lay flat on his back, his eyes open and staring at the ceiling.
"Complete muscular and nervous system exhaustion," Recovery Girl diagnosed, her tone a familiar mixture of care and admonishment. "You pushed your body far, far past its breaking point, young man. Again." She leaned closer to Lee. "Your body has enough energy for perhaps one more use of that power today. One. If you try to push it any further, you risk permanent damage. Do you understand me?"
Lee's eyes widened in horror. One more time? But… there are still two fights left.
"As for you, young man," she said to Midoriya. "Your bones feel like they've been rattled in a jar, but there are no new fractures. You'll be fine in a few minutes. Keep drinking your milk."
It was at that moment that two figures entered the infirmary. The first was Sora Aokawa, her face a mask of controlled concern. The second was the tall, skeletal form of Toshinori Yagi.
Sora's sharp blue eyes immediately fell upon her student, her gaze softening for a fraction of a second before hardening again as she assessed his condition. Toshinori, meanwhile, went straight to Midoriya's side, his own eyes filled with a deep, paternal worry that seemed far too large for his frail frame.
After a moment, Toshinori turned his head, his gaze meeting Sora's across the space between the beds. He offered a small, tired, but respectful nod. "You must be the one responsible for young Lee's training," he said, his voice a low, gentle rasp. "It is a privilege to meet you."
Sora returned the nod, her posture straight and formal, her eyes assessing the strange, gaunt man who carried himself with an air of quiet authority. "I am," she confirmed. "My name is Sora Aokawa. I am his master."
Toshinori's smile was genuine. "An honor, Aokawa-san. My name is Toshinori Yagi. I am a member of the staff here at U.A., and I have a vested interest in young Midoriya's development."
The introduction was simple, yet a silent understanding seemed to form between them. They were the architects behind the two most astonishing boys in the tournament.
"Aokawa-san," Toshinori began, his voice full of sincere admiration as he looked at Lee. "What you have accomplished with your student is… frankly, beyond anything I thought possible. I have been in the hero world for many years, and I have never witnessed a display of pure human will that powerful." He looked back at Sora, his expression one of profound curiosity. "The reports are true, then? He is genuinely without a Quirk?"
"He was born with nothing but his own two hands and a stubborn heart," Sora replied, a flicker of fierce pride in her eyes. "I simply gave him the tools to sharpen them." She then turned her sharp, analytical gaze to Midoriya, who was watching them with wide, curious eyes. "Your student, as well, Yagi-san," she said, her tone one of a master analyzing another's work. "He lost the match. But he fought with a power that was clearly trying to tear his own body apart, and yet, he managed to control it. He did not break. He adapted in the middle of the battle." She gave a small, respectful nod. "That shows a different kind of strength. A fortitude of the spirit."
Toshinori's smile was sad, but proud. "He is learning. The path for those with overwhelming power is often a painful one."
The two mentors looked at their students—the boy who had built power from nothing, and the boy who was struggling to bear the weight of everything. A quiet, unspoken respect formed between them.
"The world is about to become very complicated for your boy, Aokawa-san," Toshinori said quietly. "After a display like that, people will have questions. Dangerous ones." He met her gaze. "As a member of this school's staff, I want you to know this: U.A. will stand behind him. We protect our own."
Sora held his gaze for a long moment, accepting the profound, unspoken offer. She gave a single, sharp nod.
"See to your boy's spirit, Yagi-san," she said, her voice firm. "I will see to my student's body."
~~~~
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