A Silent Kind of Strength

Chapter 33

Izuku leaned forwards with anticipation as Shinso and Kaminari walked into the ring. This next fight could really go either way. Izuku knew Hitoshi had been doing his best to avoid using his quirk in class. And the couple of times he did use it he tried to hide its activation requirement with things like eye contact or 5 point physical touch.

So Kaminari didn't know how Shinso's quirk worked. But Shinso knew all about Kaminari's quirk and its drawbacks. That being said, the electrical quirk was exceptionally powerful. So this match really came down to whether or not Shinso was able to dodge long enough to ensnare the blonde.

They started off with a bang, lighting flew as Kaminari electrified the ground. But Hitoshi was ready, jumping up, and forwards managing to dodge the worst of the shocks, though the static made his already wild hair poof out even more than normal. He landed in a crouch right as his blonde opponent stood. In one smooth movement he latched a hand around the other boy's exposed ankle and heaved himself up, levering Kaminari onto his ass.

Before the electrical teen could right himself he was pinned and Hitoshi was smirking down at him. Asking him a question. Kaminari answered with a smirk of his own as his hands once again started sparking. But it was over. His face blanked and his hands fell to his sides as Hitoshi took control.

The purple themed teen stood slowly before ordering his opponent to stand and leave the ring. The crowd went wild with confusion and astonishment as the fight was called.

Izuku and Mei went wild with glee. Though the greenette did plan to give Kaminari some tips for his quirk as a consolation later. And he knew Mei was already drawing up plan for more support gear for him in her head.

The two boys joined their friends back in the box as Yaoyarozu and Tokoyami took the stage. Their fight was over a lot more quickly. Izuku frowned in disappointment as Momo hesitated after making a shield. If she had been quick enough she could have made a light source and won. But Dark Shadow managed to push her out of bounds before she got her head around an idea.

As they left the arena after a civil handshake Izuku stood. His next fight was coming up quick after all. He waved his friends off, stating he wanted a quiet moment to think and then left for the green rooms.

The way down beneath the stadium was winding. Eventually he pulled up the map on his phone so he knew he wouldn't end up lost and forfeiting his match. He managed to make it to the room labeled with his name just as Todoroki and Honenuki made their way through the exits onto the pitch.

The small screen set into the wall showed the fight as it played out above him. Izuku started on his favorite yoga routine as he watched. Feeling better as he took mediated breaths and let his mind be distracted by the fight.

It wasn't as quick as one would have originally thought. Todoroki started right off the bat with a power move that stunned the audience. An arctic glacier appeared in the ring to completely immobilize his opponent. One anyone but Honenuki that move might have worked. But what is softened ice if not water?

The resulting splash as the glacier melted doused the first three rows of seats on the south side of the stadium, much to the spectators' displeasure. Izuku leaned further into his toe touch as the camera showed Todoroki's disgruntled expression.