…the third match of Block Two had already concluded.
Arjun Dev won before I even arrived.
So that settled it.
I was the first finalist of Block One.
Zhang Meilin had taken the second spot.
Block Two wasn't finished yet—but one thing was clear.
Arjun Dev stood at the top.
The final slot would be decided today.
Katsuki Bakugo.
Ethan Cross.
---
The Day of Decision
The arena buzzed with anticipation.
"I'm looking forward to facing you in the finals, Kacchan," I said. "This time, I'll beat you."
"Don't dream too much, nerd," Bakugo replied without looking at me.
"After that arrogant guy… you're next."
"You two really think you're winning this?" Zhang Meilin said coldly. "Not a chance."
"Relax," Arjun said, placing a hand on both our shoulders, smiling without any tension.
"Guys are always like that."
He turned to Bakugo.
"Go do well. I hope we meet in the finals. You're strong."
His eyes shifted briefly—sharp, assessing.
"I don't really like that guy over there."
Ethan Cross stood apart from everyone, calm and unmoved, as if the entire event existed beneath him.
"Tch. Don't get too familiar," Bakugo snapped.
I kicked him aside.
"Sorry. He's just like that."
Arjun laughed. "I know. Tsundere. Cold outside, warm inside."
"I'll kill you both."
"Yeah, yeah," I said, ignoring him.
"That's our default setting."
Arjun extended his hand to me.
"I really want to fight you too, Izuku. Both of you."
I took it.
His grip was firm. Steady.
So bright.
One of the tournament favourites.
…and not without reason.
---
Block Two – Finalist Deciding Match
We took our seats.
Katsuki Bakugo vs Ethan Cross.
The moment the signal sounded—
Bakugo launched forward.
---
Bakugo — POV
I didn't hesitate.
Explosions blasted from my palms as I closed the distance and slammed my attack straight into his guard.
Direct hit.
…Nothing.
He didn't even stagger.
What the hell?
I jumped back instantly.
Ethan looked at me—not impressed, not angry.
Just bored.
"As expected," he said. "It tickles."
I attacked again.
Stronger.
Still nothing.
"…Give up," Ethan continued.
"It's not going to change anything."
Before I could react, his counter smashed into me.
Pain tore through my body.
Tch—
It's like that damn nerd is hitting me.
"You know why you're losing?" Ethan said as I skidded back.
"Because you still believe effort matters."
He stepped forward.
"In this world, strength decides everything. Not bonds. Not ideals. Not struggle. Without strength, you can't protect anything."
I clenched my teeth.
"I've seen it everywhere," he continued.
"The weak cling to excuses. The strong move on."
"You're weak," he said flatly.
"I expected something since you came this far… but guess your luck ends here."
Luck…?
"Eat this!"
I launched a named attack.
For the first time, he reacted.
"Oh?" Ethan said, smiling faintly.
"So you do have some fire in you after all."
Then his expression hardened.
"But fire without strength is meaningless."
I attacked him—
The blast detonated.
"Sorry," his voice echoed through the smoke.
"I'm too bored to fight someone who hasn't accepted reality."
"It's over now."
---
Stands
"…Looks like Katsuki is down," Arjun said quietly.
"As expected," Zhang Meilin replied.
"That man is different. It hasn't even been minutes."
Kacchan… lost?
No.
I smiled.
"Look again."
---
Back in the Arena
"Where do you think you're going?"
Blood dripped from my face as I stood.
Ethan turned sharply.
"…You're still standing?"
"You really don't get it," he said, frowning.
"Your body's broken. Your defense is gone."
Another attack came flying.
This time—
I dodged.
Not just with my hands.
Explosions erupted from my legs.
From my back.
From my shoulders.
My whole body moved as one.
The air cracked.
The ground screamed.
"…What the hell?" Ethan muttered.
I rushed him again.
Faster.
He attacked back, landing hit after hit.
Smoke rose.
Yet—
"It's not possible!" he shouted.
"You should be unconscious! Strength decides outcomes! That's the rule!"
I stepped forward.
Yet—
"It's not possible!" he shouted again.
"You should be unconscious! Who the hell are you?!"
I stepped forward through the haze.
"Katsuki Bakugo."
My voice didn't shake.
"I'm a hero."
He sneered.
"Hero? That word means nothing without power."
"You're wrong," I replied.
"You think strength comes first."
Explosions flared around me.
"But strength isn't the goal."
He hesitated.
"I learned from every fight," I continued.
"Every win. Every loss. Every person who stood in my way."
My fists shook.
"You threw everything else away to chase power. That's why you stopped growing."
He shook his head violently.
"I don't need anything else! Strength is absolute!"
"That's why you're losing," I said.
The explosions roared.
"You have power," I continued,
"but nothing behind it."
I raised my hands.
"You don't have the hero spirit."
I vanished.
A thunderous blast split the arena.
I appeared above him.
"DIE!"
Everything exploded.
The ground shattered as Ethan Cross was slammed unconscious into the arena floor.
Silence.
Then—
"ETHAN CROSS IS UNABLE TO CONTINUE!"
"THE WINNER—KATSUKI BAKUGO!"
---
The Stadium Explodes
The crowd lost its mind.
"AAAAAAHHHH!!"
"HE TURNED IT AROUND!"
"BAKUGO!!!"
The noise was overwhelming.
Arjun stared in open awe.
"…So this is Katsuki Bakugo."
"He won? Son of a gun," Zhang Meilin said, smiling faintly.
Bakugo stood alone in the crater, smoke rising from his body.
"Tch. Shut up already."
That only made it worse.
"I LOVE YOU, BAKUGO!"
"BAKUGO MARRY ME!"
"EXPLOSION KING!!!"
"…WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?!"
I laughed, watching Kacchan getting flustered.
With Zhang Meilin defeating Kavya Rao,
the finalists were set.
Katsuki Bakugo.
Arjun Dev.
Zhang Meilin.
Izuku Midoriya.
And with that—
the finals—
were going to shake the world.