MHA: A Cat's Way

Ch 97 Spectacle Stadium

I stretch my arms across my chest as I prepare for my 'debut fight'. At least for the identity that Mirko is having me use since she doesn't know that I hold second place for the Underground Masquerade. Which she apparently visits pretty often to participate in.

According to my mentor for the week, the HPSC sanctions a number of underground fighting rings for a variety of reasons. The main ones, though, are for; potential recruitment, to keep an eye on potential threats, and information gathering. Not that Mirko has ever been the one collecting information. Evidently she's best at figuring out which of the people she fights could be 'reformed' into heroes, and which ones are most likely to go on a dangerous rampage.

As for the reason I'm getting entered into the fights?

"Sometimes you need to just let go and give your instincts free reign! I know how hero schools are always pushing their brats to stay in control at all times, but for those with animal-based mutations it usually ends up backfiring pretty badly. Mainly with those predator-based, but more than one prey-based quirked person has snapped and gone 'feral' for a bit. It's one of the core pillars the Creature Rejection Clan built their beliefs on, before the organization was dismantled."

So, basically the rabbit hero thinks allowing me to fight physically without overly worrying about my opponent will give my instincts an outlet, which will lead to me making less cat puns.

I can't really say whether or not it will help with that, but at the very least it will be good stress relief! It really has been too long since I was able to let loose. Even on the outing where I met Gentle Criminal and La Brava I was holding back and didn't leave any of the people I caught overly injured. And my night with Himiko was less about letting loose and more... working through my anger. But here, where I'm in my element? Where I have not only permission, but encouragement to go all out?

I'm looking forward to this~.

Yeah, I doubt that Mirko will just brush it off if my opponent ends up dead or missing a limb, but practically anything else should be fine. After all, I'm just a first year hero student. I'm meant to be learning how to fight while not causing grievous harm or property damage~. It's certainly not my fault that I got matched up against someone who might have killed somebody before~. I had no idea that I aimed too low in that attack and crippled their ability to walk by cutting their achilles tendon!

I'm pulled out of my thoughts by the electronically modified voice of the announcer, and only now realize that I'm baring my fangs in a wide grin. My tail is lashing at the air behind me in excitement at the fight to come. "On this side of the arena, a newcomer! But don't let that fool you into thinking they're weak! For they are the disciple of the legendary TIGER BUNNY!"

The crowd goes wild at the announcement, but I can't help but snicker at the name. I just know she picked it because she couldn't hide her rabbit mutation under her tiger mask, and would kick the ass of anyone who would call her a bunny normally. She probably still does that as Tiger Bunny, but plausible deniability is really helpful in situations like this as long as she doesn't respond to her actual name or hero name.

Then again, this arena is sponsored by the HPSC, so she might not have to be as careful. Now that I think of it, I wonder what she came up with for my stage name?

"GIVE IT UP FOR... FERAL!"

Not bad. Very animal based. Not enough of a pun for my taste, but I should only be using the name for a week at most, so it's fine. I walk out of my assigned room and into the circular arena to the roars of the crowd, showing off my claws and getting even more cheers. I know how to play a crowd. It's just a shame that I can't fully use my quirk like I usually do, roaring with a cat construct has much more of an impact than swiping at the air.