My Hero Academia Symbol of Hope (DC x MHA)

Bakugo's Resolve

With a mechanical clang and the blaring of the match-start buzzer, the fourth round bursts into motion.

Team 1-B, led by Setsuna Tokage, immediately fans out behind cover, staying low against the maze of pipes and stacked cargo crates. Steam hisses from nearby vents, momentarily cloaking the battlefield in shifting fog.

"This team's balance is nuts..." mutters Kojiro Bondo, his glue dispensers already secreting adhesive along his palms for rapid deployment.

"They've got power, mobility, recon, and audio detection," Togaru Kamakiri growls, his arms gleaming with sharpened blades. "We can't let them control the pace."

Setsuna narrows her eyes, her grin unusually serious.

"Then we don't give them a chance," she says, activating her Quirk. Her limbs snap apart into dozens of separate pieces, hovering midair.

"Rush them now, break their formation. Don't play defense—go full predator."

The team nods, already springing into motion. Class 1-B's strategy is clear: don't let Class 1-A gain the upper hand like in the last round.

From above, the students of both classes lean forward in anticipation. The fourth match was always going to be explosive—and with Katsuki Bakugo involved, it might be literal.

Vlad King, arms crossed and stance firm, breaks into his usual overconfident spiel.

"Now, remember everyone—Class 1-A only won the first match because of Shinso. Their overall strategy was mediocre. If you ask me, Class 1-B has been more consistent across the board."

A beat.

Several 1-B students turn to stare at him.

"Seriously?" Kosei Tsuburaba groans. "You're still pushing that?"

"C'mon, Vlad-sensei," adds Yui Kodai, blinking slowly. "You're not even being subtle anymore."

Even Midnight, standing with a tablet under her arm, sighs.

"Vlad, darling, it's getting a bit much. At least pretend to be unbiased."

Aizawa doesn't even blink. He glares sidelong at his own class as a few students begin to grumble at Vlad's comment.

"Pipe down," he says dryly, voice low and even. "He's not entirely wrong. 1-B's countermeasures have been more thought-out so far. You're not helping yourselves by whining about it."

The entirety of Class 1-A freezes under their teacher's cold gaze.

"We're not here to stroke egos. We're here to improve."

A short silence follows—then a smug "HA!" erupts from Vlad, followed by Neito Monoma's theatrical cackling.

"How does it feel, 1-A? Even your own teacher admits our supremacy!" Neito cries, striking a victorious pose.

A sharp CRACK rings out—Itsuka Kendo chops him in the neck without hesitation, dragging him back by the collar like a misbehaving pet.

"Neito, shut up before you get us all booed off the stage."

In the corner, Midnight chuckles before turning to the tall, smiling man beside her.

"And you, All Might? Are you like Vlad? Secretly rooting for your kids?"

The former Symbol of Peace raises his hands in mock defense, sweatdropping with his usual sheepish charm.

"Ahaha, no, no—I'm rooting for everyone, of course!"