While Kaminari was busy delivering the final blow to Kendo in front of a stunned audience, a private meeting was taking pce elsewhere. Inside a feren, All Might, Principal Nezu, and several other teachers, includiopsm and Thirteen, had been discussing the verdict for Kaminari and Todoroki's match.
The final decision ultimately rested with Principal Nezu, who carefully reviewed the repy footage alongside All Might's input.
"Then it's settled," Principal Nezu said, swiveling in his chair to face the live feed of the festival. "The petition outside seems to be ing up. It's time to annouhe result."
All Might hesitated, wanting to say something, but in the end, he let out a deep sigh, rose from his seat, and followed the other teachers out of the room. As he gently closed the door behind him, Principal Nezu murmured quietly to himself.
"Kaminari … Raikiri… I hope you don't lose your way."
The principal's small frame looked even smaller as he stared at the s showing Kaminari's quiet figure on the field. He sighed again. "I wonder what kind of impact this judgment will have on you."
---
"What?!"
Ba the field, Midnight, who had just announced Kaminari's victory over Kendo, received the decision through her headset. Her expression shifted almost immediately, darkening in a way that surprised the audience.
She had anticipated the oute, but now that it was official, a heavy sadness settled over her. Kaminari was one of her brightest students, someone who worked so hard and stood out in so many ways. But now…
"Why does it have to be like this?"
Taking a moment to pose herself, Midnight straightened her posture auro her role as the chief referee.
"Attention, everyone!" she called out, her voice cutting through the chatter of the crowd. "The verdict regarding Kaminari Denki and Shoto Todoroki's match has been finalized."
The stadium fell silent instantly. Even those who had been ed about Kendou being carried off by the ambunce robot shifted their focus eo the annou.
The Css 1-A and 1-B students all turheir eyes to Midnight, their faces tense. Among them, Tetsutetsu, Bakugo, Momo, and Kyoka watched with bated breath. Even Todoroki, who had quietly reappeared in the er, looked up.
"Final verdict…" Midnight's voice rang out clearly. "It has beeermihat Kaminari Denki used an excessive and highly dangerous move, Raikiri, during his match. This move nearly caused irreparable harm to Shoto Todoroki."
She paused briefly before delivering the final blow.
"Therefore, Kaminari Denki is disqualified for vioting the rules. Shoto Todoroki will advao the finals."
The crowd fell into a stunned silehe energy of the Heroes Sports Festival seemed to freeze, leaving behind only a heavy tension in the air.
Kirishima ched his fists. "What…? Kaminari… disqualified?"
"Kaminari…" Kyoka whispered, her hands trembling as she covered her mouth. Tears welled in her eyes, her disbelief etched onto her face.
Meanwhile, Kaminari's parents, sitting among the spectators, were equally devastated. His mother wept quietly, her heart ag for her son. His father, oher hand, sat stiffly, his face pale and his expression unreadable, but his fury was evident in his ched jaw.
"Damn it! This is wrong!"
Tetsutetsu stood abruptly, st toward Todoroki with fire in his eyes. "I don't accept this! You lost, and everyone here knows it!"
Todoroki stared back at him, his fareadable. After a long pause, he spoke quietly. "You're right. I lost. I don't need you to remind me."
With that, he walked past Tetsutetsu, his gaze unwaverie the angry stares and murmurs from the audience. His demeanor was eerily remi of Endeavor's earlier exit.
Then, to everyone's surprise, Todoroki stopped he edge of the stage and addressed Midnight. His voice was soft, but the pyback equipment ehat everyone iadium heard him clearly.
"Teacher… I abstain."
Gasps rippled through the crowd as Todoroki turned and walked toward the corridor, disappearing into the shadows without another word. The light in the corridor seemed to dim as he left.
Midnight stood frozen, momentarily unsure of what to do. Todoroki had forfeited. Kaminari was disqualified. Kendo was unscious. Tokoyami had already lost to Tetsutetsu.
"Who's left?!" Midnight thought, panic bubbling in her chest. "What kind of ending is this?!"
After a brief pause, she relutly reached for her headset. "What now?"
A heavy silence greeted her before the official response came.
"Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu takes first pce. Tokoyami Fumikage is sed. Kendo Itsuka is third. Annou and move on to the awards ceremony."
Midnight's heart sank at the ckluster clusion. "What a mess… this is going to be so anticlimactic."
Still, she had no choice. With a deep breath, she stepped forward and annouhe results to the audience.
Predictably, the crowd erupted into boos and jeers.
"What kind of joke is this?!"
"Tetsutetsu didn't even fight in the finals!"
"Why disqualify Kaminari? Todoroki was fine, wasn't he?!"
"He was saved in time! And Kaminari agreed on not using Raikiri! This isn't fair!"
Even as the audience protested, the decision remained firm. Principal Nezu, watg from his office, sighed quietly. He, too, felt a pang ret.
The boos carried on through the award ceremony, drowning out muidnight's entary. The wihemselves looked more awkward than triumphant. Tokoyami aetsu exged unfortable gnces, while Kendo—still rec from her match barely managed a polite smile.
Meanwhile, the reporters surrounding the stadium were practically vibrating with excitement. Cameras fshed, pens scribbled furiously, and headlines began f in their minds.
"Raikiri Shocks the Heroes Sports Festival!"
"Who Is the Real Champion?"
But amidst the chaos, as the awards were being handed out, Tetsutetsu suddenly stepped forward. He puffed out his chest, raised his head, and shouted at the top of his lungs:
"First pce… belongs to Kaminari Denki!"
His decration echoed through the stadium, sileng the crowd for a brief moment.
***
Bonus Chapter.
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