Four arenas blazed with energy as the 80-to-40 Winners' Bracket officially began.
Lock's team had drawn Ring No. 2—again.
As the announcement echoed through the hall, the five of them moved to their assigned arena.
"Lock, Death Arms, Mt. Lady, Kamui Woods, and Sirius," Lock confirmed, handing over the order list they'd discussed earlier.
The format remained the same:
A one-on-one battle, best three out of five.
"Lock!"
"Kuji Ayato!"
The referee called the first match.
Lock stepped calmly into the ring. Opposite him stood a sharp-looking young man with glasses that gleamed coldly in the overhead lights.
The air between them immediately grew tense.
Lock could sense hostility radiating off the other boy—pure, deliberate provocation.
Still, Lock bowed slightly, raising his fist in polite formality.
"Please, let's—"
"My name's Kuji Ayato," the boy interrupted with a sneer, voice dripping with arrogance. "The referee already said it, but I wanted you to hear it from me. You probably won't remember someone as insignificant as me now… but trust me—after this match, you will."
The implication was clear.
Lock's eyes narrowed, his smile fading. For a moment, his temper flared—just a spark.
But before he could even reply—
"Referee," Kuji said suddenly, raising a hand. "I forfeit."
The referee froze mid-motion.
Lock blinked.
The audience collectively tilted their heads.
He'd just… forfeited?
Right after delivering such an overblown declaration?
The last person who'd surrendered to Lock was a terrified girl. That had made sense—Lock's aura alone had overwhelmed her.
But this guy? A loudmouthed, confident man, who'd spent thirty seconds trash-talking before the match?
And now he was backing out?
Even the crowd watching via live broadcast couldn't contain their laughter.
"Coward!"
"Why talk big if you're just gonna quit?"
"Bro folded faster than paper!"
The referee cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uh… Winner—Lock!"
Lock just shrugged, stepped down from the ring, and high-fived his teammates one by one.
"Let's stay sharp," he said. "This feels off."
Second Match
"Death Arms!"
"Makoto Kojū!"
A tall, power-type man and a girl barely reaching his waist stepped up to the ring.
Kojū was so small—maybe under 1.5 meters tall—that she looked like a child next to him.
The contrast was almost comical: a mountain versus a pebble.
They both bowed politely.
"Please give me your guidance."
But Death Arms' voice wavered slightly—hesitant. She looked far too fragile to hit.
He shook off the thought. This is a test. I can't hold back just because she's small.
Taking a deep breath, he tensed to charge.
"My Quirk is Guilt," said Kojū sweetly, smiling.
Her eyes flashed.
Immediately, Death Arms froze in place.
His muscles locked. His expression twisted.
"Death Arms!" Mt. Lady shouted from below. "What are you doing? If you can't hit her, just toss her out of the ring!"
But Lock, watching closely, already felt something was wrong.
A bad premonition settled in his chest.
The 80-to-40 round isn't going to be as straightforward as last time…
Then it happened.
The massive man's shoulders trembled. His face scrunched up—
And suddenly, he burst into tears.
A two-meter-tall Hero candidate, sobbing uncontrollably in front of a nationwide audience.
It was pitiful. And surreal.
"Waaaahhh! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—!"
His sobs echoed through the arena's speakers.
Even the referee didn't know what to do.
Then came the inevitable words—choked out between cries:
"I… I forfeit! Please, I can't take it anymore!"
The referee blinked twice, visibly confused, then raised his flag.
"Makoto Kojū… wins."
The crowd went dead silent for half a second—then erupted again.
Two bizarre rounds in a row.
When the Quirk's effect faded, Death Arms blinked, his tears stopping instantly.
Then realization hit him.
He had just—on live TV—cried like a child and surrendered to a girl half his size.
The color drained from his face completely.
"My Quirk," Kojū explained gently, looking almost apologetic, "makes people feel a hundred times more guilty than usual."
She gave him a small bow. "Sorry."
Then she hopped off the stage, leaving Death Arms standing frozen in shame until the staff gently led him away.
Lock and the others surrounded him afterward.
Mt. Lady and Kamui looked utterly at a loss.
What could they even say?
It wasn't just a loss—it was national humiliation.
Every Hero in training dreaded moments like that.
"Mt. Lady!"
"Ryota Hōjō!"
The next match was called.
Mt. Lady clenched her fists, glaring at the ring.
"Damn it! Just watch—I'll crush this guy and avenge Death Arms!"
She stomped up to the stage, her body already glowing with Quirk activation.
But before she could even begin to enlarge—
"Referee," Hōjō said calmly, raising his hand. "I forfeit."
Everyone: "…"
"Mt. Lady wins," the referee said flatly, rubbing his temples.
Three matches in a row, all ending in forfeits or emotional breakdowns.
Unprecedented.
And the entire country was watching it happen live.
Fourth Match
"Kamui Woods!"
"Bai Ryūka!"
The moment Lock heard the name, his eyes narrowed.
Finally, he understood what was happening.
So that's your strategy…
The other team had analyzed their lineup and crafted a routine.
They'd deliberately thrown the first and third rounds—saving energy and hiding their Quirks—to focus all their power on the fourth match.
Because if Kamui lost… their last opponent would face Sirius, the weakest of Lock's team, in direct combat.
A perfect setup to secure two straight wins and take the match.
Lock's expression hardened.
They've read us completely.
Kamui Woods and his opponent stepped into the ring.
The man's hands ignited instantly—bright, roaring flames swirling in his palms.
Lock's suspicions were confirmed.
Of course. They sent a fire-type.
Against Kamui's plant-based Quirk, it was the perfect counter.
And if Kamui fell here… they'd force Sirius into the last round.
The enemy's plan was crystal clear—
A routine designed to break their team's rhythm.
Lock's hand clenched at his side, flames flickering faintly beneath his skin.
If they want to play with fire… then let's see whose burns hotter.
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A/N: New Fanfic Is Out " Naruto: I'm Boruto Uzumaki"
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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