I, without any personality, become a hero!

Standing up, Todoroki Shoto fearlessly met his father Endeavor's gaze. Perhaps at first, Todoroki also thought that Midoriya had defeated him with the power of "Kamen Rider Faiz," but later, Akaya Kaion's speech in class completely changed Todoroki's mind.

"Ultimately, 'quirks' are similar to equipment or tools. In my opinion, tools are more useful than 'quirks.' Would Iida give up taking the car just because her quirk is 'speed'?"

"Todoroki, would you refrain from using a refrigerator because your Quirk is 'Frozen'?"

"The eight million alumni association is due to its own personality... no, your 'creativity' is quite versatile, so forget what I just said."

The simple example elicited a burst of laughter from the class, but Akaya Kaiun's next sentence made them all stop laughing.

"Therefore, to me, the existence of 'Quirks' is actually something that hinders social development; in comparison, Midoriya-kun is a 'normal' person."

"Anything a 'Quirk' can do, equipment and items can also do, and may even far surpass 'Quirks'... So, can anyone tell me now, is having a powerful 'Quirk' something to be proud of?"

Todoroki didn't receive any attention from Akaya Kaiun because of his powerful "Quirk." Instead, it was the "Quirkless" Midoriya Izuku who received a lot of instruction from Akaya-sensei. Todoroki realized where the gap between himself and Midoriya really lay... which was also the biggest difference between himself, his father, and All Might.

"Heroes are people who are not afraid of difficulties; they are beings who can turn the impossible into the possible, which is why everyone likes All Might."

Saying words that could deliver a devastating blow to his father, Shoto Todoroki coldly and mercilessly replied:

"Relentless pursuit of excellence, never-ending progress"—the motto of U.A. High School. As a graduate of U.A., when did you forget this phrase?

"Now you don't even have the courage to challenge All Might?"

With his eyes wide open like a bull's, Endeavor's flames raged wildly. Clearly, this No. 2 hero was on the verge of exploding, yet Todoroki didn't even glance at him.

"I will fight Midoriya with all my might, and then I will make you realize just how wrong you were."

After leaving the stands, Todoroki Shoto knew he would soon be going to the ring to fight after Midoriya and Bakugo's battle ended... Todoroki didn't want to see that disgusting man's face right now.

Watching his son's departing figure, Endeavor felt a surge of frustration and powerlessness within him... He began to doubt himself; perhaps Todoroki was right.

I don't know when... Endeavor, who was clearly right behind All Might, lost the courage to continue challenging for the No. 1 spot. How shameful...

Chapter 34 U.A. High School: The Conditions to Become a Hero

3...2...1...Bakugo Katsuki is about to fall back onto the ring, and Kamen Rider FAZI is rushing over at high speed.

Regardless of whether his opponent is bluffing, Izuku Midoriya is prepared to defeat Bakugo and eliminate him as soon as possible. Meaningless delays could easily lead to unexpected situations.

The two were about to come into contact. Bakugo Katsu adjusted his posture the moment he landed, crossing his arms in front of him. At that moment, Midoriya Izuku's hand was about to grab him.

Kamen Rider Faiz is very powerful, and if he gets caught, he's basically done for. Bakugo Katsuki was well aware of this situation. He released his "explosion" with his crossed hands, his palms facing outwards towards Midoriya Izuku, and the huge explosive impact hit him head-on.

"Retreat first..."

With this in mind, he used an attack to hinder his opponent for a moment. The powerful recoil from the explosion also caused Bakugo to quickly move backward. He absolutely could not let his opponent get close when fighting him.

The plan was well-thought-out, but reality was cruel. Before Bakugo Katsuki could retreat and get away, a hand covered in Rider armor emerged from the smoke of the explosion and grabbed Bakugo Katsuki's right leg.

"What?!"

"I know exactly what you're going to do, Kacchan!"

Faiz emerged from the smoke, and Izuku Midoriya's left hand firmly gripped Bakugo's right leg. He tried to break free using the explosive force, but to no avail; the enormous difference in strength made it impossible for Bakugo to escape.

The two knew each other very well. Izuku Midoriya, who had basically grown up with Bakugo since childhood, knew everything about the person in front of him, including what defensive actions he would take.

"Damn it..."

"I'm sorry, please leave!"

After catching Bakugo Katsuki's right leg, Midoriya Izuku did not launch any offensive actions. In the ring, defeating the opponent to the point of being unable to get up or pushing him out of the ring area would also count as a victory.

Although grabbing Bakugo and slamming him to the ground would guarantee his instant death, Izuku Midoriya opted for a gentler approach. He grabbed Bakugo Katsuki's right leg and ran quickly toward the edge of the ring, preparing to throw the guy out.

"Damn it... Deku, you bastard!"

Seeing this, Bakugo instantly understood what Izuku Midoriya wanted to do. He immediately started bombarding Izuku Midoriya with both hands, but Kamen Rider Faiz's defense was not something that could be broken in one or two blows. Izuku Midoriya did not stop and ran towards the edge of the ring. When he was about seven meters away from throwing Bakugo, he was still moving towards the edge of the ring.

"I'm curious... how strong of an explosion can you withstand after you transform into 'Kamen Rider Faiz'?"

"Um?!"

The situation took an unexpected turn. Katsuki Bakugo, who had been wearing a furious and helpless expression, suddenly revealed a mysterious smile, which made Izuku Midoriya immediately sense that something was wrong.

"You should know exactly what my 'explosive' personality is, right?"

Bakugo Katsuki, who had somehow taken off his tracksuit jacket, was found to have a lot of sweat on his clothes by Midoriya Izuku. It wasn't sweat from overheating during intense exercise, but rather an explosive source of nitroglycerin-like substance emanating from his palms.

"At this close range, a powerful enough explosion should have been able to hurt you, right?"

"Hey...Are you crazy?!"

"Maybe so? Because being surpassed by you, you bastard, really annoyed me!"

It can no longer be described as a do-or-die battle. Katsuki Bakugo's combat suit is designed to store energy in his hands and unleash a massive explosion. However, the combat suit is equipped with professionally designed safety devices to avoid risks. The principle behind Bakugo's current actions is the same as the explosion generated by the combat suit, but it is undoubtedly extremely dangerous.

Without the combat suit to restrict the explosion's range and direction, the massive explosion is an indiscriminate area-of-effect (AOE) attack, which would also fatally damage Bakugo Katsuki himself. This is a suicidal tactic.

This is outrageous! Completely outrageous!!

There was no time to say anything to Bakugo Katsuyuki to dissuade him. After realizing what his opponent was planning to do, Midoriya Izuku realized it was too late.

The sweat-soaked U.A. High School tracksuit was thrown out by Bakugo Katsumi, and at the same instant, it was ready to be ignited and detonated, just like a powerful hand grenade thrown in front of Midoriya Izuku.

"How to do?"

In a split second, Izuku Midoriya had to make a choice: defend himself or protect Katsuki Bakugo? Caught off guard, he would surely be seriously injured if caught in the range of the explosion he himself had created.

While still pondering the question in his mind, Izuku Midoriya reacted instinctively, releasing his grip on Katsuki Bakugo's left hand. He grabbed the about-to-explode U.A. High School tracksuit and pulled it to his chest, quickly turning around and using his embrace to firmly suppress the source of the explosion.

This is Izuku Midoriya's choice!

BOOM!!

A deafening roar erupted, and sparks and smoke instantly filled the entire arena. Even the head referee, Midnight Teacher, who was standing some distance away, was thrown off the stage by the powerful impact. The entire audience watched this moment in stunned silence.

"Ouch...that hurts!"

Katsuki Bakugo got up from the ground, his hands and face bleeding from cuts caused by flying shards of rock. He was lucky to be able to cry out in pain, but the other person was not so fortunate.

"........"

With his whole body aching terribly, Izuku Midoriya didn't even have the strength to speak. His reckless behavior had led to his miserable end. After enduring damage beyond his limits, "Kamen Rider Faiz" reverted to its belt form and was thrown aside by the explosion. Midoriya himself also suffered a strong shockwave and was thrown off the ring.

"Medical staff, quickly take Midoriya-kun to the 'Healing Lady'!"

As the head referee, Midnight immediately took charge of the situation after getting up from the ring. After the paramedics carrying Izuku Midoriya on a stretcher hurriedly carried him away, Midnight glanced at Katsuki Bakugo, who was still on the ring.

Because Izuku Midoriya covered his body with the sportswear that Bakugo threw, the explosive force was basically absorbed by Kamen Rider Faiz. However, because the force was too great and the impact was too close, Izuku Midoriya was blasted into his transformed form and his main body also withstood a lot of the impact. He was then thrown out of the ring area and could no longer get up.

The person standing in the ring now is Katsuki Bakugo, but the referee, Midnight, announced in a very angry tone:

"The victor is Izuku Midoriya!"

"Katsutoshi Bakugo has been eliminated from the competition for violating the rules!"

She had already announced the competition rules at midnight before the finals began. Although the battles on the stage were to allow the contestants to freely express their "personalities" in combat, she clearly stated that the use of lethal attacks was prohibited, and anyone who violated the competition rules would be eliminated on the spot.

"If it weren't for Midoriya's selfless rescue, you would be the one lying on the ground just now."

"Bakugo, get yourself straight, why are you standing here? U.A. High School is a school for raising heroes, not murderers!"

At midnight, her tone was very serious. Although her hero title was the ridiculous "18+ Hero," as a teacher at U.A. High School and a well-known veteran hero, she was quite responsible.

Bakugo Katsuki felt neither the joy of defeating Izuku Midoriya nor the sadness of losing the match. His feelings were very complicated... It was as if time had turned back to ten months ago, to when he encountered the "Mud Enemy".

When he was in trouble, the person who rushed over without hesitation was not one of the professional heroes around him, but simply the "Quirkless" Izuku Midoriya, whom he usually looked down upon.

Blinded by the desire to win, Bakugo Katsuki's mutually destructive move... was perhaps entirely wishful thinking on his part. If Midoriya Izuku had simply focused on protecting himself, he would never have been harmed. But in that moment of crisis, Midoriya abandoned his own safety to protect Bakugo.

With his hands trembling, Katsuki Bakugo deeply felt the gap between himself and Izuku Midoriya, the most fundamental difference between being a "hero".

Why All Might and Kaiu Akaya valued Izuku Midoriya, who was "Quirkless," so much is something Katsuki Bakugo now roughly understands... The condition for becoming a hero is not how powerful one's "Quirk" is; in fact, that kind of thing is completely dispensable.

Compared to someone like myself who constantly claims to want to become a hero who surpasses All Might, Izuku Midoriya is more like a true hero.

Slowly walking off the ring, Bakugo Katsuki had already picked up his FAIZ belt and cell phone, which had been blown away by the aftershocks of the explosion, and headed straight for the infirmary.

"Perhaps... I should sincerely apologize to that guy..."

Katsutoshi Bakugo's only thought right now is this.

Chapter 35 U.A. High School: Men and Women

Despite some unexpected events in the third match, the U.A. Sports Meet couldn't just stop there. The fourth match was between Eijiro Kirishima from Class A of the Hero Course and Tetsuya Tetsuya from Class B of the Hero Course.

"A 'Hardened' Quirk versus a 'Steel' Quirk? This looks like it's going to be quite an exciting clash!"

Commentator Mike introduced the two students' personalities to the audience and those watching on television, while also trying to deepen everyone's understanding of the competitors. After all, the main goal of U.A. High School's sports meet was to pave the way for these children who would become heroes in the future.

In today's society, fame is essential for a hero, which is one of the reasons why many students who dream of becoming heroes want to enter U.A. High School – they can accumulate a lot of fame during their enrollment period.

On the ring, Kirishima and Tetsuya clashed head-on. Neither of them took any defensive measures. Their similar "quirks" were their best defense, and the two of them started punching each other without any restraint.

"Kirishima and Tetsutetsu from Class B, their 'personalities' and fighting styles are quite similar."

"Midori-kun!?"

Ochako Uraraka was startled. She saw Izuku Midoriya sitting next to her and giving his opinion without her noticing at all.

"Weren't you carried into the infirmary? How did you end up out again!"

"The 'Healing Girl' healed me with her personality. Since I wasn't seriously injured, there's nothing to worry about."

It was because of the defensive armor of "Kamen Rider Faiz" that Midoriya dared to do that, directly using his own body as a shield to withstand the explosion and protect Bakugo. Although the consequences were still beyond his expectations, overall there was no major problem.

"Are you really okay? Don't push yourself..."

"Don't worry, the next match will be between you and Ashido-kun, right?"

"Hmm... to be honest, I was quite nervous."

After a brief chat, Midoriya changed the subject from his own life to talk about Ochako's match, which was in the next round, where she would face off against her classmate Mina Ashido.

Mina Ashido belongs to Bakugo's team. After entering the finals, she was matched with Ochako Uraraka in the fifth match. According to Midoriya, Mina's Quirk is "Acid," which allows her to spray a dissolving liquid from her body, and she can freely control the concentration and viscosity.

Perhaps this wasn't a formidable opponent for Izuku Midoriya, but for Uraraka, anyone could be a strong opponent, and she was filled with anxiety and tension about whether she could win.

To be honest, Midoriya didn't know what to say to comfort Ochako. After all, his goal was to win the U.A. Sports Meet. He couldn't very well say that even if Ochako made it to the final, she would still lose to him, could he?

The outcome is uncertain. Every player who comes to the finals fights with the belief that they want to win. Midoriya has no right to say that his reasons for wanting to win are more noble than others. All he can do is defeat all the opponents who stand in his way.

Stopping thinking about anything else, Izuku Midoriya focused his attention on the battle in the ring. His second-round opponent would be one of these two, and it would be good to observe them closely now.

Kirishima and Tetsuya's fighting style is very simple. Both of them completely abandon defense and engage in pointless brawls, delivering brutal punches to each other's faces. It's a pure hand-to-hand combat style that is also very exciting.

"Beat him up! Punch him harder!!"

"Go for it, redhead! I really believe in you!"

"Silver-haired kid, don't lose! Beat him back hard!"

...........

At some point, the male spectators split into two groups, each cheering for Kirishima Eijiro and Tetsuya Tetsuya. The expressions on their faces made it seem as if they themselves were the ones fighting in the ring, not the fighters.

This scene hadn't happened when Izuku Midoriya went on stage. Ochako Uraraka couldn't understand why a fistfight would elicit more cheers from the audience.

"When Akaya-sensei was teaching me knowledge, he also told me a lot of things."

"He once said... The world is like a parade of violence that is most efficient. But whether it's chopping each other with stone axes, hacking each other with swords, shooting each other with guns, or even bombing each other with missiles, there is always some ancient and unchanging desire."

"Unarmed combat, one-on-one, these are the two rules that bind different races of these big idiots... It's not that I want to see bloodshed, but since the beginning of time, men have suffered from an incurable disease: 'Unarmed Combat is the Strongest' syndrome."

Recalling the time he spent with Akaya Kaion, Midoriya Izuku spoke with feeling, although the teacher who was there had borrowed that phrase, just telling Midoriya some personal experiences during his free time.

"At the time, I didn't understand what Akaya-sensei meant... but now I understand a little. Even in this era of 'quirks,' ring battles are never lacking; perhaps this is just human nature."

"Well....."

Ochako Uraraka, who seemed to understand but not quite, frankly... as a girl, she couldn't appreciate a fight where people punched each other.

The fight between Kirishima and Tetsuya ended. Both of them fought until they were exhausted and collapsed on the ring. Midnight had to call the medics to carry them away, and then they would decide the winner in another way.

"Good luck, Li Ri!"

In the upcoming fifth match, all Izuku Midoriya could say to the girl was this: whether she could defeat her opponent depended on her own efforts.

"Yes! I will definitely do my best."

Suddenly filled with confidence, Uraraka Ochako stepped onto the competition stage.

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