After the second game of the Festival, we were given another break, but this one was shorter, with only five minutes until the next and final challenge.
The fights.
The order remained the same as in the canon, at least the ones that interest me.
My match against Shinso is the first of all, Todoroki will face Sero, and to finish the first round, Bakugo will be Uraraka's opponent.
The rest of the fights don't matter.
As we were being led to the participants' box and, in the process, shown where the eating area was (because competing against teenagers all morning makes you quite hungry), Todoroki approached me.
"Midoriya, can we talk for a moment?"
Here comes the talk about daddy Endeavor and his abuses.
"Sure, what do you want to talk about?" I asked simply.
"In private. Follow me." And with all the seriousness in the world, he started to walk away.
"I didn't know you were one of those, Todoroki. Let me tell you in advance that I'm not interested."
My joke got no response. Serious people are the worst.
.....
Todoroki took me to one of the stadium exits. I know Bakugo is leaning against a wall, listening to everything that's about to be said right now.
"Alright, Todoroki, we're here. What do you want to talk about?" I'm hungry. The faster this conversation ends, the faster I can eat.
"I'll be direct, Midoriya. Are you... All Might's son?"
The son of a skeletal blond? I haven't fallen that low yet.
"No, Todoroki, I'm not the son of the most beloved hero of today. Am I blond and blue-eyed?"
Inko Midoriya having an affair with All Might? It's more likely I'm the son of All For One than for that to happen... Now that I think about it, this could perfectly be an AU where Izuku really is the son of All For One, and hey... Shit... I'll reflect on the probabilities at home.
"I see... Anyway, I didn't ask to talk to you about that."
Is being so mysterious part of the charm of serious people? Or is it just a Todoroki thing?
"When we faced each other in the cavalry battle and you hit my arm, for a moment, I felt it..."
What did you feel? Don't tell me you're a masochist or something, Todoroki. I'll get a restraining order if that's the case.
"Be quiet and listen!"
Wow... I pissed off Todoroki with jokes. I think I'm getting better at this Spider-Man imitation thing than I expected.
"I'm sorry... That outburst was not right," Todoroki expressed, genuinely embarrassed... What a chat, though I'm still hungry.
"No problem, we all have outbursts from time to time. Now, tell me, Todoroki, what do you want to talk to me about?"
Bakugo is still listening to this whole conversation. I'll give him points for being persistent.
"Have you heard of Quirk marriages?"
That's some really deep shit. It was one of the first things I researched when I got to this world, and it definitely wasn't pretty to read.
"Of course I know about them. Two people with powerful and specific Quirks get together to give birth to a child whose Quirk should be even more powerful than theirs. This is due to the already proven and certified theory that states that with each passing generation, Quirks become more powerful than the last. Am I correct?"
Quirk marriages are not very common anymore from what I've read online, but there are still associations dedicated to people who want to have strong offspring.
"You have the general concept."
Just the concept? What more does he want? For me to tell him who started arranged marriages?
"As you know, I am the son of the number two hero, Endeavor."
"And you're the result of an arranged marriage," I finished for him and saw the surprise on his face. "Come on, Todoroki, it's obvious... Why would you tell me about those marriages if you weren't born from one of them?"
"...Yes, you're correct."
Of course I am.
"I was born from my father's desire to surpass the number one hero."
And I'll assume your father achieved his goal. Your power is half cold, half hot. A very OP piece of shit, if you ask me.
But my power is more OP, and best of all, it didn't come from an abusive father... It came from years of school bullying that I didn't go through.
"Tell me, Todoroki, your father crossed the line, right? He caused more harm than good, and that's why you refuse to use his power."
The hallway fell silent for a moment after my words.
Todoroki didn't expect that deduction from me, but it's normal. He didn't see the anime, I did.
"...How?"
This reminds me of another situation.
"Intuition, Todoroki. I had to endure years of beatings from Bakugo and his followers. Over time, I became observant, I learned to listen and deduce based on what I heard... You don't need power to be the strongest."
If Bakugo is listening, at least I'm going to throw some shit his way.
"Look, Todoroki, can I give you some advice? From the strongest to the second strongest."
I love the irony of my statement.
He didn't like me reminding him that he was the second strongest, but he nodded.
"It's your power, not that idiot you call a father's. You decide how to use that fire you have inside you. Your Quirk is called 'Half-Cold Half-Hot,' not 'Hellflame.' Your power, your rules, Todoroki. Now think about my words and let me leave."
With those words said, I simply walked towards where I know Bakugo was leaning.
Clearly, no one was there when I passed by, but my senses, enhanced by One For All, don't lie.
Now I'll look for something to eat.
.....
After eating like an idiot because I had little time, and telling Ojiro that I don't need his warnings, I managed to get to the stadium where I would beat Shinso.
He was already in the stadium, giving me that bored look, as if this were a waste of time.
Too bad it is a waste of time... for me, of course.
"Do you know the rules?" Midnight asked us.
Neither of us answered her. We both nodded our heads without looking at her.
Because this is an anime fight, and you have to show seriousness.
"Then... Begin!"
I activated One For All at 17% and launched myself directly at Shinso.
"Tell me, don't you think that stupid monkey was an idiot for..."
That was all Shinso managed to say before I sent him out of the arena with a kick.
The stadium was silent for about thirty seconds... until they insecurely started to applaud.
Being fast is awesome.
I approached Shinso calmly, who was looking at the grass he was sitting on.
Poor guy, he must be frustrated. He thought the Quirk he despised for years would give him the victory.
Hit a dog and keep it chained its whole life, and when you try to touch it, it will bite you. It's a basic thing, but it seems Shinso didn't get it.
"Hey!" I shouted to get his attention, making him look at me. "You have a great Quirk, but you were stupid to think you could win with it alone. A Quirk is nothing without the person who wields it. You despise what your power has brought you in life, but you still depend on it at the end of the day... What does that make you, Shinso?"
I left the question hanging in the air for a moment to see if I'd get an answer from him, but I got nothing but silence.
"It makes you a hypocrite, that's what it makes you... You have an excellent Quirk, as I already told you. Just stop listening to what the futureless idiots around you tell you to do or be and get strong... If you do, I'll consider giving you a rematch."
After those words, I simply left the ring and headed towards the spectator area.
But I managed to hear Shinso's final whisper.
"...You'll get your rematch, Midoriya. Just wait."
My work is done.
I won, I didn't break any fingers in the process, and I helped Shinso. Can you ask for more from me?
....
As I was on my way to watch the next match, I ended up crossing paths with the eternal number two.
The character with the best development that Horikoshi has given to this universe.
The man who evolved and went from being a family destroyer to a hero in redemption.
Endeavor.
But this isn't the Endeavor that the manga showed and allowed to evolve.
This isn't just another character I can insult and get away with it.
This is a man who can generate enough flames to char me faster than I can activate One For All.
And right now, this man is a first-class asshole.
But... when have things like that ever managed to keep me quiet?
I wasn't given a second life along with the most powerful ability possible just to stay silent and watch others.
No, if I'm given a second life with enough power to change the weather like it's a joke, it's so I can do things the way they should be done.
Without doubts, without fears. If that weren't my way of acting, then I might as well have transmigrated into a useless person with nothing special.
I am Izuku Midoriya... and I'm going to put this asshole in his place.
"You have a power very similar to All Might's."
Straight to the point, better for me.
"Yes, I have his blessing. Did you know? I'm going to become the next Symbol of Peace, even if it's the last thing I do."
His flames have increased a bit in intensity... It seems my words are not to his liking.
"You have potential, but not enough. The number one spot is already taken."
Did he just tell me I lack potential? Look at this asshole.
"I'm sorry, but you're comparing me to you," respond to that, fourth-rate asshole.
"You're very confident."
His flames continue to rise. Just one more push, and I have him where I want him.
"Of course I am. Even the number one is interested in me. What more do I need to affirm my confidence?"
I'm sorry to use All Might as a defense in all this. I'll apologize to him later... Maybe I'll buy him a mug that says "Teacher in Progress" or "Not Recommended for Your Bones."
"You'll soon face my Shoto."
His Shoto? That sounded very wrong.
"Please, if you're so confident, then don't hold back when you face him. He is my masterpiece, whose purpose is to defeat All Might."
He said that last part in a warning tone. Does he think he can scare me?
"Well, good for you, man. Too bad I'm his rival. But don't think for a second that I'm going to go all out, after all..." I turned around and looked him in the eyes, with my arms behind my back. "I don't fight seriously against weaker idiots."
"What did you say?!"
His anger exploded to the maximum, his flames burning brighter than ever... Damn it, he made the wise words of Guy-Sensei get ruined.
"Do you know who I am?! I am Endeavor! The hero closest to being number one!"
Hero? I'm sorry, where is the hero? All I see here is a bastard who ruined his own family and a student.
I can see it. If I don't put a stop to this, he's going to attack me.
"You think you can address me in that way! You don't know what I'm capable of doing to you, kid!"
He took the bait. I'm on a roll today.
"What are you going to do to me? Are you going to attack me? UA has cameras everywhere, Endeavor," I commented, pointing to a corner where there was a small red dot. "Imagine the news: 'Number two hero attacks a student from the prestigious UA.' What do you think will happen to you? At the very least, your license will be suspended... Do you want that, Endeavor? Do you want to attack me for telling you the truths to your face? Come on, Endeavor, answer me. Do you want to see who goes further in this tug-of-war?"
His flames dimmed a bit, and he seems more aware of his actions. Good side, I won't die today. Bad side... Meh, there's no bad side. One way or another, I'll end up involved in the important events, with or without Endeavor.
"I can make it so that no hero agency accepts you. You don't know who you're messing with."
I don't doubt his words. There are many cases where the villain has been left unrecognizable, and it's all due to the eternal number two... Endeavor is dangerous, at least right now. His influence is great.
"What part of 'All Might's Blessing' didn't you get? You don't have more influence than the Symbol of Peace, so go and torment some other teenager."
I turned around and started to walk away, but not before making the Whips that had formed in my hands disappear. I don't want to give Endeavor more reasons to keep an eye on me.
Before turning down the hallway, I gave him one last look.
"See you, Eternal Number Two."
And without staying to see his reaction, I left the place.
I'm not going to lie, I was scared shitless. One wrong step, and everything would have gotten out of hand.
Fortunately, it didn't happen. I was able to put Endeavor in his place and survive to tell the tale.
Now I just have to beat Todoroki and make him use his flames in the process. Simple, right?
After all. I am Izuku Midoriya.
...
Author's Note:
Hey.
What did you think of the chapter?
The start of the fights and the chat with Endeavor have arrived.
Originally, the MC was going to throw more shit at Endeavor, but he's not like Bakugo. If the MC kept making comments, then he probably would have been attacked by Endeavor, with or without cameras. Besides, he wouldn't have a source to confirm his words.
He can't just say, "I read it in a manga."
The chat with Shinso, on the other hand, was a great thing to write. I never liked Shinso. He always complained about his Quirk and so on, but in the end, he depends on it, and that makes him a hypocrite.
Yes, in the canon, he's much more useful now and all, but that doesn't take away how ridiculous he was at the Sports Festival. He tried to present himself as another victim of the system, but in the end, he was shown as a bitter and hypocritical person.
The next chapter should (if everything goes as it should) cover the battle against Todoroki.
Right now, I'm more focused on my other story than this one, but that's because I'm writing an important arc in my "Izuku Spider-Man" story, and I need to do it with dedication.
Once I can get back to a simpler point, I can focus more on this story and develop it as it should be.
See you.