No one expected the battle between Tokoyami aetsu to end so quickly, especially the students in Css 1-A, who were more shocked than anyone else.

  For months in their bat training sessions, Tokoyami's performance had sistently been top-tier—arguably sed only to Kaminari, Todoroki, and Bakugo.

  "That's the key…" Kaminari muttered, watg the repy of Tetsutetsu's victory with i. "If you've got enough raw power to suppress Dark Shadow and send it flying, you take them both down in one move."

  He analyzed the fight quietly, but his focus shifted to Tetsutetsu himself. There was something different about him now, something that hadn't been there before.

  "He's grown. He's learning to think more strategically, and his strength… it's improved a lot. He's putting in the work."

  What Kaminari didn't know was that Tetsutetsu had taken inspiration from him. Watg Kaminari trailessly at the facility in Omiya Park had left a deep impression on him. Tetsutetsu had seen Kaminari think through problems, analyze strategies, and train until he was utterly exhausted. Over time, that influence had subtly rubbed off on him.

  Kaminari's steady improvements had lit a fire ietsu's heart, driving him to work harder. He was determined not to be left behind, not to lose the ce to stand beside Kaminari as an equal.

  And so, his victory over Tokoyami made se was the result of perseverand grit. Hard work had paid off.

  Of course, if the battle had been held at night, things might have gone differently.

  "So Tetsutetsu's in the finals now," Ojiro said, his voice cutting through the lively chatter around them. "Now it's just a matter of whether Kaminari or Todoroki joins him."

  "Yeah," Asui agreed, her fingers pressed to her lips in thought. "But I'm also curious to see who Kendo from Css B will faext."

  "Tch," Bakugo grunted, sitting off to the side with an annoyed expression. Losing to Tetsutetsu earlier had left a bitter taste in his mouth.

  "This whole festival is garbage… I just want it to be over already," he thought, gring at the field.

  Oage, Midnight waved her whip dramatically, drawing everyone's attention.

  "All right, folks! It's time for the match! Let's see who will face Kendo Itsuka ihird round!"

  The rge ss fshed as the matchups were dispyed.

  "Kaminari Denki VS Kendou Itsuka!"

  The result stuhe crowd. Even Kaminari blinked in surprise, momentarily speechless.

  "Midnight-sensei… did y this?" Kaminari muttered under his breath, earning a few chuckles from his cssmates.

  ---

  Css 1-B's se:

  "Kendo, are you really going to gh with this?" Monoma asked, his voice filled with genuine for ohe rest of Css 1-B also looked at Kendou with worry.

  But Kendou only smiled, exuding her usual fidence. "Rex. All Might already sealed Kaminari's 'Raikiri' move, didn't he? My odds just improved, don't you think?"

  With a wink, she turned and walked toward the corridor leading to the arena. But as she reached the entrance, she paused and goward the opposite corridor, where Kaminari reparing to enter.

  Even from behind, his presence was unmistakable. Kendo ched her fists and pressed her lips together, steeling herself.

  "Even if I 't beat you, I'll give it everything I've got," she thought. "That's what a hero does… and maybe I at least st a little while."

  ---

  From the announcer's booth, Present Mic leaned ba his chair, turning to Aizawa with a bored sigh. "This one's gonna be pretty one-sided, don't you think, Eraser?"

  Aizawa sidered saying something like "Css 1-B's Kendo is strong too," but he k would ring hollow. Instead, he simply stayed quiet.

  Mic shrugged, used to his old friend's bluntness. "I wonder what the higher-ups decided about Kaminari's st match. If they disqualify him, that'd be huge news…"

  After a pause, Aizawa suddenly asked, "What would you do if you had to face Kaminari's 'Raikiri'? Could you block it?"

  Mic froze for a moment, caught off guard. He imagihe sario, paring his own "Voice" to the sheer destructive power of Kaminari's attack.

  "…Maybe," Mic said hesitantly. "If I went all-out, the shockwave from my voice might match the power of Todoroki's 'Id Fire Explosion.' But… I'm not sure."

  Aizawa raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. Instead, he oward the field. "They're ing out now."

  Mic seized the ce to drop the subject, flipping his mic ba. "Ladies alemen, the final match of the third round is about to begin! On one side, we have Css 1-A's Kaminari Denki, the 'Kid Lightning!' And oher, Css 1-B's Kendou Kazuka, the fierce 'Big Sister' of her css!"

  ---

  "Start!"

  As soon as Midnight gave the signal, Kaminari disappeared.

  In a blink, he transformed into a streak of golden light, vanishing from sight. Kendou barely had time to react before she felt a presence behind her, apanied by a warm sensation on the back of her neck.

  "Sorry," Kaminari said softly, his voice calm but firm. "I'm a bit tired, so I wao this up quickly."

  Kendo stood frozen, her mind rag. The gap between their abilities was evehan she'd feared. Slowly, her shoulders slumped as she let out a long breath.

  "So this is the difference…" she muttered. "Is it really this big?"

  Behind her, Kaminari sighed. "If you're ready to surrender, I won't have to shock you. o make this harder than it has to be."

  Kendo hesitated. She could hear the in Kaminari's voice, but…

  "No," she said firmly, standing tall. "Heroes don't surrender. If yoing to beat me, do it properly."

  Her defiance drew murmurs from the crowd, and her cssmates shouted words of encement.

  "Css Leader Kendo!!"

  "She's so cool!"

  Kaminari tilted his head, a faint smile on his face. "Got it."

  Crackle!

  A golden light fred around Kaminari, and Kendo let out a brief scream before colpsing to the ground, her body smoking slightly.

  Kaminari k beside her fallen form, his expression serious. "I reize your resolve," he said quietly.

  ***

  For every 500 PS = 1 extra chapter. Support me on patreon to read 55+ advanced chapters: patreon./Blownleaves.