"Endeavor? Why are you here? This isn't in line with regulations." Aizawa Shouta was visibly startled by the sudden appearance of the pro hero. The man standing before him was tall, flames roaring across his body, radiating intense heat. It was none other than the No. 2 Hero—Endeavor.
"I filed an application with the principal." Endeavor held up his authorization, then said calmly, "That aside, I want the match to continue."
"This fight is completely one-sided. There's no need to go on," Aizawa Shouta frowned. "Besides, even a teacher might not be able to guarantee Shoto Todoroki's safety in this situation."
Endeavor shook his head. "He's only using half of his power. The other half hasn't even come into play."
Aizawa Shouta didn't argue further. He simply replied, "If something goes wrong, the school won't take responsibility."
"That's fine." Endeavor's gaze remained fixed on Shoto Todoroki in the arena. This was the ultimate creation he had cultivated—the quirk meant to surpass All Might. There was no way he would fall so easily.
The arena had already transformed after the earlier clashes. Etsuha no longer pressed his attack. Instead, he guided the towering icicle down and landed lightly in front of Shoto Todoroki.
"If you keep holding back and only use half your quirk," Shina Etsuha said calmly, "you won't be able to beat me."
"…I know." Shoto Todoroki's expression hardened, but it was clear he still resisted using his fire.
"You'd rather lose than use your full power?" Etsuha shook his head slightly. "That hatred really runs deep."
With a flick of his wrist, an ice-forged sword formed in his hand.
"A sword?" Aizawa Shouta's eyes flashed with surprise. But as he watched Etsuha's breathing grow heavier, realization dawned. "I see… even a powerful quirk puts strain on the body. Continuous use must be draining his stamina."
His assessment was sharp—but incomplete. What he didn't know was that Etsuha was deliberately testing his limits. This wasn't just a battle—it was an experiment.
"Ha…"
Shoto Todoroki's eyes flickered as he steadied himself. He hadn't expected Etsuha to switch to close combat. Ice-type quirks usually excelled at control and ranged pressure—so why engage directly?
Raising his hand, he unleashed a barrage of ice spikes.
Crash—!
Layer upon layer of jagged ice surged forward, racing toward Etsuha. In response, Etsuha leapt lightly into the air, his hands glowing once more.
"Ice Cavalry."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In an instant, multiple ice-formed cavalry units materialized around Shoto Todoroki. At Etsuha's command, they charged simultaneously, their spears thrusting toward him from all directions.
"How… can he create constructs like this with ice?!"
Shoto Todoroki was stunned. He barely managed to dodge with a desperate roll, then pushed off the ground and closed the distance in a burst of speed.
"Do you think those constructs are stronger than me?" he shot back.
Etsuha looked at him calmly. "My swordsmanship is the real threat."
"…What?"
Before Shoto Todoroki could react, Etsuha stepped forward.
No flourish. No wasted motion.
Just a single, precise thrust.
Yet in that instant, Shoto Todoroki felt as if every escape route had been sealed. No matter where he moved, the blade would reach him.
What is this…?!
Cold sweat ran down his back. He hastily raised an ice barrier, but Etsuha was faster.
A layer of ice formed beneath Etsuha's feet, propelling him forward with explosive force. In a blink, he was already in front of Shoto Todoroki—his sword cutting down.
Clang!
The blade shattered through the hastily formed ice defense, and a streak of blood bloomed across Shoto Todoroki's shoulder.
"Is… this the end?"
Shoto Todoroki gritted his teeth. His ice was being completely suppressed. It felt as if his own power had been rendered useless.
Was this what it meant to be outclassed?
Then Etsuha's voice cut through the tension.
"You're rejecting your own ability. Someone like that… what right do you have to call yourself a hero?"
Shoto Todoroki's head snapped up.
Etsuha looked at him with clear disdain.
"You hate your power? Or is it your parents you hate?" he said coldly. "Pathetic. Living as someone else's extension, afraid to even fight back… that must be exhausting."
"…What do you know?!" Shoto Todoroki snapped, anger flashing in his eyes.
Etsuha smirked faintly. "Then prove it. Use your own power—and surpass him."
Something inside Shoto Todoroki broke free.
…He was right.
If he rejected his flames just because they came from his father… wasn't that the same as admitting he belonged to him?
No. That wasn't who he wanted to be.
He let out a quiet, bitter laugh.
"I didn't expect… to meet someone like you," Shoto Todoroki admitted. "Someone who would force me this far."
Then—
Flames erupted.
The right side of his body ignited, blazing with intense heat. The fire surged outward, melting the surrounding ice into clouds of steam. In an instant, the temperature spiked violently, and the flames roared all the way toward the spectator stands.