Tap, tap, tap.

  The corridor was silent except for the sound of Kaminari's footsteps eg against the walls. Occasionally, Present Mic's excited entary from the stadium speakers would break through, but otherwise, Kaminari walked alone, deep in thought.

  "Hmm… Tokoyami versus Ashido Mina. That one shouldn't have much suspense," Kaminari muttered to himself, picturing the likely oute as he headed toward the exit to the audience seats. But suddenly, he caught another sound—another set of footsteps, heavier than his own.

  He froze for a moment, just as a fsh of red light appeared around the er. Stepping into view was a t figure, nearly two meters tall, wreathed in fmes. Kaminari's eyes widened in reition.

  "Endeavor…!" Kaminari whispered, instantly reizing the wo Hero in Japan.

  "Ah, I found you," Endeavor said, his deep voice resonating through the corridor as he fixed his intense gaze on Kaminari. It was clear he'd been looking for him specifically.

  "Looking for me?" Kaminari asked, raising an eyebrow.

  "I saw your performan the matches," Endeavor said, his tone carrying a rare note of approval. "You're impressive, perhaps even a 'genius' in your own way."

  "Thanks, I guess," Kaminari replied, unsure of where this was going.

  Endeavor tinued, "You're likely the only student among this year's freshmen who push Shoto to his full strength."

  "Oh?" Kaminari replied, tilting his head. "What about Bakugo?"

  Endeavor looked momentarily surprised but then shook his head. "That explosive kid? He's strong, yes, but he's still not enough to make Shoto go all out."

  Kaminari's brow furrowed slightly. "When you say 'Shoto's full strength,' you're talking about him using his Quirk on the right side tht?"

  "Correct," Endeavor said, his expression unreadable. "To be precise, I mean using both Quirks together—fire and ice. That's the true potential Shoto has, and it's the key to him surpassing All Might."

  Kaminari he almost fanatical gleam in Endeavor's eyes as he spoke. There was a deep, personal determination behind his words, something intense and uling.

  "So, what exactly did you e here to ask me?" Kaminari asked, his voice wary.

  Endeavaze sharpened. "Judging by the bracket, you'll be fag my son soon. I think this match could be a perfect testing ground for him. I want you to force him to use his fire."

  Kaminari took in the request, feeling a flicker of irritation. "Testing ground, huh?" he echoed, his tone cooling. "Sounds to me like you're assuming that once he goes all out, he'll win easily."

  Endeavor looked down at Kaminari with a steady, almost dismissive gaze. "I'm fident in Shoto's abilities, yes. You're talented, but there's a differeween a taleudent and Shoto at full power."

  Kaminari ched his fists, his expression tightening. "You keep talking about Shoto's 'full power,' but you haven't seen what I really do, either."

  "Perhaps," Endeavor replied, his tone unwavering. "But I trust irength of my bloodline."

  Kaminari's patience frayed. "So that's what this is about? You think your bloodline is somehow superior?"

  "No," Endeavor corrected, his voice cold aached. "It's not about nobility, it's about strength. Shoto is the perfect result of my efforts to create someone capable of surpassing All Might. No amount of talent ge that fual difference."

  Kaminari gritted his teeth, holding back his anger. He k wasn't wise to provoke Endeavor ht, especially given the power differeween them. But the arrogan Endeavor's words was hard to swallow.

  After a moment, he forced himself to stay calm. "And why should I help you?" he challenged. "Why should I push Todoroki to use his fire if it means giving up my own shot at winning?"

  Endeavaze didn't waver, though he seemed almost disappointed. "If it's pensation you're looking for, I provide that. Money, es—once you graduate, I could even pce you in one of the top agencies."

  Kaminari's expression hardened. He looked away, as though dismissing the offer as trivial. "No thanks. I don't need your money, and I don't need your es."

  He took a step forward, brushing past Endeavor, but paused just as he passed him. "But fine. I'll do what you're asking, on one dition."

  Endeavor's eyebrows rose slightly, intrigued.

  "Just remember… you owe me a punch," Kaminari said, his voice low.

  Endeavor's expression didn't ge, though he didn't turn to watch Kaminari walk away. The wo Hero didn't take the words seriously, he barely registered the threat.

  "It's up to you," Endeavor said over his shoulder, his voice cool aached. "As long as you push him to use his fire, that's all that matters."

  Kaminari didn't respond. He simply tinued walking, disappearing down the corridor. But Endeavor's fming brows furrowed slightly as he repyed the words in his head. Something about Kaminari's tone had struck him as genuine.

  "Hmph… nonsense," Endeavor muttered, dismissing the thought.

  ---

  When Kaminari returo the Css 1-A seats, the match had just eokoyami's Dark Shadow had overpowered Mina, pushing her out of the arena.

  "Kaminari!" Kyoka called out, notig him return. She seemed to want to ask him something but hesitated, gng at the others around her.

  "Don't worry," Kaminari said, reading the question in her eyes. "I just came from the infirmary. Iida's awake, and he's fine."

  "Thank goodness!" Kirishima said, letting out a relieved sigh. "Man, I thought you twonna kill each other out there!"

  Kaminari smiled, his tension easing as the mood lightened around him. Whatever misuandings his intetle with Iida had caused seemed to have faded.

  "Alright, everyone!" Present Mic's voied over the stadium. "After thirteen thrilling matches, we're gonna take a quick break! Thirty mio grab some snacks, stretch those legs, or take care of… uh, any pressing needs!"

  The students ughed, a few of them visibly rexing as the annou of a break set in.

  "And don't fet, folks—when we're back, it's time for the fourth match of the sed round: Bakugo Katsuki versus Tetsutetsu Tetsutetsu! It's explosion versus steel! Don't miss it!"