The Hero's Stand

23: The Sports Festival (part 4)

It was me next against Bakugo. I got up and walked past Deku to the waiting room, there would be a short delay before the battle so Kirishima and his opponent could have their arm wrestle. He saw me walk past him and followed me to the waiting room.

"So you're up against Kacchan eh? Want some advice?"

"Yeah. Not too much though. This needs to be my battle, not yours."

"I understand that. I'll tell you how he fights then."

I nodded.

"Kacchan starts most battles with a right hook. He only doesn't if he thinks you're a major threat or that you know he will. He likes to be unpredictable with his explosions and will use them to fake you out, jump around you and bait you into his attacks. Getting your quirk on him won't do much because he's used to manoeuvring in the air with his explosions. It will prevent him from using his big attacks though as they'd push him back too far. Kacchan also knows how to outrange an opponent as well as being incredibly good at close-quarters combat. Trust me I know from experience."

He rubbed his side where the handprint was from where Bakugo had burnt him. I felt terrible for him.

"Your best bet is your Hamon. Use it to stick to the floor and not get blasted away. It can also make your blows a bit stronger with the amount you can use. Or you can do what I do and let it out in one big blast"

I nodded and heard Present Mic announcing the start of my round.

"Thanks Deku."

"Good luck Ururaka."

He extended his hand out for a high-five and I slapped it. Then he watched as I walked down the tunnel to the light and gave me a thumbs-up just as I walked out.

The sun was glaring and I found myself shielding my eyes with my hand.

This is what Deku did when he came out too.

He was probably up in the stands now, waiting for me to beat Bakugo and come back. I knew that he believed in me and I was fully ready to prove to him that his training he did with me was not wasted.

Bakugo was stood at the other end of the field and was already crackling at the thought of beating me. I knew that what Deku had taught me would be crucial to defeating him, all I had to do was think of a strategy.

First of all I steadied my breathing, ready for the Hamon to flow through me. Then I got into the fighting stance Deku used against me and felt it crackle to life. It was nothing like Deku's but he was sure it would be if I had a little bit more practice and control.

I remembered what he said about Bakugo and his right hook. He was most likely to start with that so I had to be prepared for it. Then again he could have made the connection between me and Deku and how he pulled me aside so he might start with something else to throw me off. I better be ready for it just in case.

I shifted my stance slightly.

When the battle started Bakugo shot towards me with a left hook and I silently thanked the part of my brain that prepared me for it. I leaned to the right and dealt a quick uppercut to his jaw.

I'm surprised Kacchan didn't start his battle with a right hook. He must know that I was talking to her before the battle. For all he acts, Kacchan is a pretty perceptive guy.

Bakugo stumbled backwards after my blow and I tried kicking him in the stomach. Unfortunately my form was a bit off and I fell over, looking like a fool in the process.

He recovered and sent an explosion at me. I blocked it with my hands and was pushed back a bit. Then I felt him flip over my head and land a kick to my back.