After the battle between Todoroki and Deku, with the former's victory, it was my turn. Once the arena was repaired, I walked into the ring, observing my opponent who wore a wild grin on his face.
"Okay, Begin!" Midnight shouted.
Upon hearing the start, I released an enormous amount of ice at Bakugo, which surpassed Todoroki's attack, rising high over the stadium.
I watched, letting out a cold breath from my mouth, as a powerful explosion erupted from where Bakugo emerged.
'He seems smart. He defended himself by creating explosions as a barrier and moved stealthily over the ice,' I thought, seeing Bakugo launch an explosion that propelled him forward.
He tried to grab me, but I ducked down, creating a square pillar of ice that would impact his chest. However, Bakugo created an explosion that launched him into the sky.
Using his explosions, he stayed airborne.
Clasping my hands together, the temperature of the place began to drop rapidly. Around me, several ice eagles formed and shot towards Bakugo at great speed.
The spiky-haired boy, upon seeing the attack, began to dodge them, using his explosions to destroy the ice creations.
After destroying the last ice creation, I manipulated the ice I had made, shaping it into multiple tentacles as thick as a person. They headed straight for Bakugo.
Bakugo's eyes widened as he saw the attack directed at him.
Creating explosions, he began to zigzag through the attacks, avoiding being caught and frozen.
'Tsk. I must say he's smart and slippery.'
Intertwining several ice tentacles, I formed a net with the intention of trapping him.
Bakugo clasped his hands together, creating a massive explosion that shattered the ice.
Using the momentum from the explosion, he reached my location, grabbing my gym shirt to throw me out.
Placing my hand on the ground, I created an ice ramp. Sliding down it, I watched as Bakugo extended his right hand.
Grabbing his hand, I let the explosion pass through without affecting me. The shock didn't expect me to do that.
Using the power of the Ice-Ice Fruit, I froze his arm and then threw him to the ground. His body bounced several times before he got back up.
Small explosions occurred on his arm, freeing it from the ice, though not without cost, as he had several frostbite burns.
"You're strong, for an extra," Bakugo commented with a serious look.
"I must say the same. Honestly, I'm impressed you've lasted this long against me," I said as my body began to show a layer of frost.
"But it's time to end this," I said, making a gesture as I began to freeze the ground.
As I still didn't have full control over the Devil Fruit's power, the environment began to cool completely. The spectators hugged themselves, beginning to feel the winter chill despite it being spring.
"Come on, Bakugo."
The ash-blond gave a murderous grin and launched himself at me.
I raised pillars of ice and launched them at my opponent. Bakugo unleashed multiple explosions that broke through the ice barrier I was raising.
Twisting his body, he released small explosions, beginning to spin like a tornado.
"AP Shot!" Bakugo shouted.
Smiling, I raised a massive ice barrier that received the explosion.
BOOM!
The explosion shook the entire stadium; enormous chunks of ice flew through the air, landing in the arena and the nearby area, but none reached the audience.
The audience held its breath to see the final result of the most intense battle between the two first-year students.
When the smoke cleared, the ring was partially destroyed, with huge chunks of ice scattered in various places.
Everyone gasped upon seeing Yoru Shirayuki, who was missing an arm and a considerable part of his chest, but he didn't seem worried. His face held an amused and excited smile.
Within seconds, the missing parts of his body regenerated, leaving his appearance intact.
Bakugo, who was on the ground, had a look of disbelief. He had used his most powerful attack, but his enemy was still unharmed.
"It was a good fight," I said, lifting Bakugo and throwing him out of the ring, winning the match.
The ash-blond landed on the ground, completely unconscious.
Midnight descended from the podium where she had been watching the battle.
"The winner of this round is Yoru Shirayuki, advancing to the third round," Midnight announced.
The audience applauded the great display of technique and skill.
Scratching the back of my head, I left the ring. Now I only had one last fight left before the final.
---
Passing by the cafeteria, I bought a canned juice and a sandwich. Upon returning, I noticed Ida was fighting Todoroki.
I watched the fight without much interest. In the end, victory went to the two-toned boy.
'I think there are still about two or three weeks until the events with the Hero Killer,' I thought to myself, taking a bite of my sandwich.
My next fight wasn't very notable, as I fought Tokoyami and simply froze him, winning overwhelmingly.
With that, only the final fight against Todoroki remained.
While walking to distract my mind, I bumped into someone I really didn't expect to meet.
It was Endeavor, the number 2 hero.
"Hello, hello."
'What is he doing here?' I thought, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm here to witness your battle, young man. You have an incredible gift."
"Uh, thanks," I said, not very sure.
"In terms of pure strength, you could rank within the top 100. Maybe even reach the top 10."
"Okay. If you'll excuse me, I must go now," I said, passing by him and starting to walk away, but something he said stopped me in my tracks.
"My dear Shouto... has the glorious task of dethroning All Might. So, a battle between you two will serve as a good simulation. So, young man, give it your all to make it a worthy fight, understood?"
"That's all I have to say," he said as he left.
Without saying a word, I simply continued walking toward the waiting area 1, but halfway there, someone else appeared.
"Yoru Shirayuki, let's talk for a moment," Shoto said, to which I nodded.
There was still time before the arena would be cleaned and rebuilt.
We both arrived at a secluded area in one of the tunnels leading to the ring.
I leaned against the concrete wall, looking at Shoto.
---
"So... what did you want to talk to me about?"
"You're not, by any chance, some kind of illegitimate son created by Endeavor, are you?"
Upon hearing that question, my mind went blank.
'Did he fall on his head as a child?'
"I'd rather be dead than be the son of a guy like him," I responded immediately.
"I see," said Todoroki, maintaining an expressionless face.
"Is that all you wanted to ask?"
"No, there's something else. As I think you already know, my father is Endeavor. He has always been obsessed with becoming the number 1 hero and surpassing All Might."
"Even after almost two decades of trying to surpass All Might?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"My father is a man who simply doesn't accept defeat."
I listened as Todoroki began to explain his story and the relationship between Endeavor and his family.
"To sum it up, I'm telling you that I'm going to face you not for my own reasons... but to show my idiot father that without his power... no, with his power, I can become the number 1 hero. I intend to use that method and reject my father's ways." The two-toned boy's expression was serious.
After hearing him out, I let out a sigh.
"Your family situation is certainly complicated. But I'll tell you something..." I paused, making the two-toned boy look at me seriously.
"The power you have is yours and no one else's. It's not your father's, nor your mother's, it's yours. If you keep thinking the way you are now and keep holding yourself back, you'll never get anywhere. That's all I wanted to say. See you in the arena." After saying that, I walked away in silence.
When I reached waiting area 1, I took a bottle of water and drank it, refreshing myself.