"Teachers, you let me go now?"

  Kaminari asked, his voice tinged with a bit of frustratiooss and Vd exged gnces before nodding in agreement, releasing their Quirks.

  In truth, their intervention had been more of a precaution. If it hadn't been for All Might stepping in charging directly into the heart of the explosion to shield Todoroki from Kaminari's Raikiri things might have turned out very differently. All Might's decisive punot only ralized Kaminari's attack but also dispelled the fire pilr Endeavor had unched ialiation. Without his intervention, there was a high ce that Todoroki would have been seriously hurt.

  Then agaioss couldn't help but think Endeavor had overstepped, too. Entering the arena from the stands and ung an atta a student? It was teically a breach of the school rules, something that could even be viewed as vilinous behavior.

  "Endeavor, return to the stands!" All Might stepped forward, blog Endeavor's path as he tried to approach his son. "Young Todoroki is fine."

  Realizing his own overrea, Endeavor's expression shifted slightly, though his gaze remained icy. He grunted, casting a long, hard look at Todoroki, then at Kaminari. With a final scoff, he turo leave.

  "Endeavor… sir?"

  Just as he was about to walk away, Kaminari's voice cut through the tension.

  "Hm?"

  All Might, toss, and the other teachers looked at Kaminari, surprised. After all, Kaminari had e close to injuring Endeavor's son—what more did he want to say?

  Endeavor stopped, turning bainari with a cold, wordless gre.

  "Nothing much," Kaminari replied, his earlier smile gone as he met Endeavaze, his tourning serious. "Just a reminder not tet the deal we made."

  "Deal?" All Might and the other teachers looked at each other in fusion, but Todoroki's face remained impassive.

  Endeavor didn't show aion beyond a ft response. "I haven't fotten. I'll be waiting."

  With that, he turned and jumped bato the stands, leaving the stadium in full view of the 120,000 spectators. The crowd watched in silence as he strode out of the Hero Sports Hall, quickly disappearing from sight.

  All Might raised an eyebrow, turning bainari. "Kaminari, what exactly is this deal between you and Endeavor?"

  "It's nothing serious," Kaminari shrugged nontly.

  He chose to leave it at that, avoiding any public discussion of his issues with Endeavor. It felt too petty trievances openly, especially giveensity of the battle they'd just had.

  But deep down, Kaminari thought to himself, Sooner or ter, Endeavor, I'm going to hit you back for everything you've done.

  "Head referee, what's the status of this match? Did Kaminari Denki win?"

  The stadium was still buzzing with fusion whe Mic's voice broke the silence, asking the question that was on everyone's mind.

  Midnight turo Kaminari, a hint of uainty in her expression as she spoke. "Well… if we're judging purely by the battle's oute, then yes, Kaminari would be the winner. But there are also petition rules that prohibit using excessive force or teiques that could be lethal."

  She paused, gng at All Might for firmation. "If All Might hadn't interveodoroki could have been seriously hurt, maybe even worse…"

  All Might sidered this, then nodded. "It's true. From the angle Kaminari attacked, he didn't aim for Todoroki's vital points—he was going for the shoulder. So it wasn't an iional killing move. But given the power of that 'Raikiri' teique…"

  All Might's gaze shifted to Todoroki, who stood nearby, still looking shaken from the enter.

  "If that attack had ected with Todoroki's shoulder, it could have caused serious injury, maybe even a perma one."

  "So, based on that…" Midnight houghtfully. "We should be cautious with this decision."

  After a brief pause, she raised her voice to address the crowd. "For now, we'll hold off on officially deg the winner. Let's proceed with the wo matches, and during that time, we'll carefully review the situation. We'll annouhe result of this match after the rounds are pleted."

  She knew Kaminari well enough, having trained alongside him in the ms, and she wao ensure he was treated fairly. But as a pro hero and referee, she had to remain objective.

  "Sounds good."

  All Might nodded, showing his approval with a gentle smile before he turo Kaminari.

  "In that case, Kaminari, you should go rest. But regardless of what decision we reach, I hope you'll accept it with grace."

  He pced a reassuring hand on Kaminari's shoulder. "Remember, having strength alone doesn't make you a great hero. You also need a stro, ohat matches your power."

  Kaminari nodded. "Uood."

  Turning to Todoroki, he added quietly, "Sorry if I went too far and scared you."

  Without waiting for a reply, Kaminari started walking toward the exit, but theopped, gng back at Midnight with an awkward smile.

  "Um… would it be okay to request a recharge? My electricity levels are running really low."

  With his increased capacity to store up to three million volts, recharging at school saved him from fag a massive power bill at home.

  Midnight chuckled and agreed. "Sure. We'll start drawing lots for the match soon, so there's a ce you'll be fighting again. But remember, if the verdict goes against you, even if you win the match, you'll be disqualified from advang to the finals."

  Kaminari shrugged. "Got it."

  At this point, he khere was no point in stressing over the oute. Whatever happened, he'd deal with it. His thoughts drifted to Tetsutetsu, who he hoped to meet in the finals.

  In the earlier rounds, Kaminari had seetsutetsu's determination and eagero challenge him. And as a friend, he wao honor that by fag him head-on.

  After all, as heroes-in-training, wasn't it natural to respond to each other's fighting spirit?

  ***

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