Today is the day of the grand event.
34Please respect copyright.PENANATCxoOCZoTT
It’s been a week since Izuku fought Momo in their mock fight. They didn’t fight again after that, though. Momo didn’t seem interested in trying to beat Izuku again. Didn’t stop the two from hanging out and preparing for the festival in other ways.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAaskAqJcUuX
When the day came, they both knew they had prepared the best they could.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAWWlG7AptiL
C: “You could have done much more, my Prince.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAwyl5SRqsp1
Izuku ignored that voice as he sat in the waiting room along with a strangely distant Kiri. Don’t be mistaken, she was still the same loving Kiri. But something was… off.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAlhCggXgNFg
Izuku: ‘I guess I spent too much time with Yaoyorozu. Kiri has no other friends; she must have been lonely. I have to make it up to her after this.’
34Please respect copyright.PENANAXaKotUErky
Momo: “Everyone, are you all ready? We’ll need to leave soon.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAWUBwKjMTxT
Momo called out to the students hanging out in the waiting room.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAznV8Dr4gPr
Mina: “Yep, Yaomomo! It sucks we have to wear these outfits, though. I wanted to wear my hero costume.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA9yPUR16tlr
Momo: “Tell me about it.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAvcjgGHZMYm
She looks at her outfit and frowns. There are few places she can use for her quirk.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAPpqmVgTUzW
Izuku looks at Momo with some concern before getting up and preparing to leave with the rest of the class. But before he could, Todoroki approached him.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAyeIU8QX3xd
No, not him. After a moment, it became clear that his target was Kiri.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAIha4o9hoK1
Todoroki: “Kiri Midoriya.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA4Ji1QaTDHt
Kiri: “Yes, Icicle?”
34Please respect copyright.PENANATRb4CPiY1N
Mina & Uraraka: “Pffft!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAj5xOYVBaBp
Todoroki didn’t even flinch at the nickname. In fact, he liked it better than Bakugo’s HalfnHalf.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAJZuY9SU2U8
Todoroki: “On an objective basis, I know you’re above me in terms of practical strength. Despite that… it won’t change my goal.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA0rTAsFisB6
Kiri tilts her head, waiting for him to state his mission.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAtwYziE8ip5
Todoroki: “You’ve managed to get All Might’s attention, right? I won’t pry, but that only motivates me more to beat you. Prepare yourself.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAKb6XTKrlEJ
Kiri smiles at the determination of this hero in the making.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAD9mw92RZeJ
Kiri: “I’ll be waiting.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAILsVMTq19p
Denki: “Oho!? What’s this? Another declaration of war? And this one is between some of the strongest kids in our class.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAI7VvtIjuhI
Kirishima: “You’ll have to get in line, Todoroki! I still need to have a rematch with her. I’ve been training for it!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAf88aih9RS6
Kiri: “I’m looking forward to it.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAQHX8bBylzS
Bakugo and Izuku glare at them, but for very different reasons. But Izuku can’t for the life of him understand why seeing this makes him upset.
34Please respect copyright.PENANA4gHIU0YMtT
S: “Prince, you’re being very dense right now.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANApeVi6TKW1o
Izuku: ‘I really don’t want to hear any more suggestions from you.’
34Please respect copyright.PENANADHdt7MMAF8
Out of the five main voices, that one is the most disturbing one to the young boy. He is much too young to know the many methods of pleasure she refuses to shut up about. It takes more mental strength than he’d prefer to block her out.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAH7jJuThYoc
Izuku: ‘What she says can’t be true. Can it? Even if it is, should I…’
34Please respect copyright.PENANARTobjAcenV
The boy shakes his head and tries to focus on the matter at hand. He has a sports festival to win.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAq3mzGWiM4G
K: “That’s the spirit! Bathe in their blood and claim their skulls for your throne!’
34Please respect copyright.PENANAp04vn5bEfw
Ignoring his enthusiasm, Izuku grabs Kiri’s hand.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAPbatV49Ed8
Izuku: “Let’s go, Kiri.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAcBJuCgxAoq
At first, her face showed surprise at Izuku’s sudden action. But it quickly melted into a sweet smile.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAxpZwQi79sQ
Kiri: “Nh.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAdQMPfzvMm5
34Please respect copyright.PENANAdGHH8cCo1m
Fubuki: “Will you please relax?”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA1PMoOP6cUi
Tatsumaki: “No, a villain can attack at any time.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA7ESGVcZDg0
Fubuki: “You know my Blizzard Group has slipped into the audience too. You don’t have to stress yourself so much.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA2pmN8GYZgR
Tatsumaki bites her lip to prevent herself from saying something degrading about her sister’s group. This is supposed to be a good day; no need to risk it.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAAuSoWtjemB
Right now, the Midoriya family is sitting in a special area above the audience. Similar to the announcer box but not as visible.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAKAxGrsnINj
Inko: “Please, you two, don’t start arguing. Not now, we need to support Izuku with everything we’ve got.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAnqqI6gKWSX
Fubuki looks at Tatsumaki, who slowly relaxes her shoulders.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAWjCB6HVSkW
Tatsumaki: “Fine.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAmk02iH0x5k
Inko: “Good.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANATwqhLMXjdo
Present Mic: “The U.A sports festival!!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAOFuOLJNcJ7
Inko: “Look! It’s staring!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAd60bVN6wMN
Present Mic: “This event is where the hero world’s little eggs aim for each other’s throats… and the top! Our grand yearly melee!!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANANwA6REgmNb
Present Mic: “And let me guess, all you miscreants came to see them, right?? The newly formed miracle stars that shrugged off a mass villain assault with wills of steel! The department of heroic of the freshman class!! Class 1-A!!!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAQXW5SSfJTg
The Midoriya family smiled, happy to see Izuku and Kiri among those leading the pack.
34Please respect copyright.PENANALOYn4Y4A45
Inko: “Izuuuku!! Kirrrri!!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA1ulOuFdRiK
Fubuki: “Tissues?”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA43I4Oaoh9m
Inko: “Thank you!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAyZH6QrZPAf
Tatsumaki: “Izuku! Kiri!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAZIqxSb3UY4
Izuku and Kiri’s eyes widen before looking up at their family.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAUKN9gEsKVE
Tatsumaki: “You two got this; bring home the crown.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAFOIJ5mUAon
Izuku: “We will!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAsthJ06wfVf
Kiri: “Don’t worry, Onee, we’ll make you proud.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAKttXyk1hS2
Tatsumaki cuts the connection and smiles, content that they’ll do fine. But to her surprise, she felt a few other psychic signatures down there. Five, to be exact; one was even looking at her with a smirk. The one with the long red hair.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAZjiMi0aid6
Tatsumaki: ‘I didn’t know there were even more like us. Izu’s generation sure is interesting.’
34Please respect copyright.PENANACUj1wa5GQ7
34Please respect copyright.PENANA5n4IE4YMwO
Kirishima: “Wow, they’re really praising us to the sky… I’m getting a bit nervous now. How about you, Bakugo?”
34Please respect copyright.PENANATvofYQI9j9
Bakugo: “No way I’m nervous; you’re just getting stage fright, wuss.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAWOuhGp2897
Present Mic: “And following class B, here come classes C, D, and E from the Dept. of general education! Next are the F, G, and H of the department of support! Now for the department of management’s…”
34Please respect copyright.PENANApwpxrGo5LO
Shiho: “They’re really treating us as an afterthought, huh?”
34Please respect copyright.PENANADxSaf4EOei
Karou: “They’ll be singing a different tune when we’re done.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAiOWfeXMg69
Present Mic: “And finally, your first-year umpire! Give it up for Miss Midnight, the R-Rated Hero!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAmahgY0UDxj
Midnight walked and swayed onto the stage in the center of the arena. Considering her legendary appearance, it’s understandable for some of the boys to blush like mad. Their eyes were glued to every curve of that rocking body.
34Please respect copyright.PENANA5vNNQ7bTMK
However, there were some that were disappointed and stupid enough to voice it.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAsutkI9RE2x
“Man, I wish it was Tornado. She’s better.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAdfH3knvf2b
Midnight: “Who said that!?”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAhebgZmXQHN
With a crack of a whip, everyone stood at attention, not daring to upset the woman further.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAtXEV61ogxC
Midnight: “The next person who says something like that will get a very painful punishment.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAA9rg3MmaNX
President Mic: “Uh, Midnight?”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAbFfsdVdhN7
Coming to her senses, Midnight coughed and got on with the proceedings.
34Please respect copyright.PENANA87Rjj8aUhB
Midnight: “A-Anyway. Before we officially begin, it’s time for that good old welcome pledge! Izuku Midoriya of 1-A! Come on up here!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA782e1vcm4w
Izuku: “M-Me? W-Why?”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAwgS3gPsw1v
Sero: “You placed first in the entrance exam, remember?”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAz7hFDoN5rL
Izuku: “R-Right.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAiA8b2O7VEO
The boy took a breath before forcing his legs to move up towards the stage. But every step was like moving through tar. Public speaking? Him?! Can’t be done!
34Please respect copyright.PENANAGqnrpCHm1z
Despite his worries, time would not wait for him, and soon he was standing in front of all the first years.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAgx7Ih6bhH5
Izuku: ‘What the heck am I supposed to say?!’
34Please respect copyright.PENANAP4eiCXu0rl
The pressure was building as time passed in silence. Before long, he was sure the pressure would crush him. But suddenly, it all faded away into the background. The reason? He looked down at Kiri, his constant companion, and she smiled at him.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAZfTnEmG6jP
Kiri: “You can do it.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANABCVerqv5LB
Izuku: ‘She’s… right. If I can’t handle this, how can I handle being a public hero?’
34Please respect copyright.PENANArfB5sbneDE
The prince takes a breath and gives his first speech, one born from the desire to show the world that All Might’s successor was here.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAQvFnYJ331J
Izuku: “A few weeks ago, we were attacked by villains before we even got used to the regular flow of classes. The media can dress it up, and the teachers can praise us, but it doesn’t change the fact we nearly lost our lives.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA6yqpNLWSqs
The once excited atmosphere settled as Izuku continued his surprising words.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAX43twHcIdU
Izuku: “It’s not something to envy, but it is something to keep in mind. Being a hero is not all fun and games; lives are at stake. Those evil men and monsters came to play with us. To break us and destroy our spirit. To send a message to the country that no one was safe.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAXJ9wI2qiPi
His eyes slowly begin to glow as his spirit is laid bare for all those who can witness this event.
34Please respect copyright.PENANA345nIO5goh
Izuku: “But despite everything they threw at us, WE SURVIVED AND WON!! And from those ashes of near-tragedy, we will rise to be new symbols of peace! Not just Class 1-A, but all of us. Let’s show them that all of U.A are heroes!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAh9e6Vu3ZD2
The crowd and even the students erupted in cheers at the speech. Even those against Class 1-A clapped or nodded their heads at Izuku’s sentiment.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAFJFzAk53IR
All Might grinned and tightened his fists, for he saw the future heroes in these children. With Izuku leading them, things may change for the better.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAY0WtC0D8jP
Tatsumaki held her head up proud, for her brother had surpassed her expectations already.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAwHTINdp3os
Fubuki couldn’t help but feel the same. He may seriously be able to lead like her one day. He’s not on her level yet, thankfully, but the potential is there.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAJslVdPlqpk
Meanwhile, Inko broke out into another joyful crying session.
34Please respect copyright.PENANA7gsWFMPCvX
Inko: “My baaaaaby! He’s allll grown up!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAB8D4vQUyIo
34Please respect copyright.PENANAKYpzRSGGLU
Those on-site weren’t the only ones watching this. In another part of Japan, a well-kept bar was close to being reduced to ashes due to someone’s building anger.
34Please respect copyright.PENANA14hBJy2u9O
Kurogiri sighed behind the counter as Shigaraki hurled a glass cup at the wall.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAd9SCgZk8Do
Tomura: “This is bullshit!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANADVsX8HrYv0
Kurogiri: “Please don’t destroy the bar, Shigaraki Tomura.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAvjXysLkXMS
Tomura snarled before grabbing another glass and drinking the contents.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAQmej48IKL4
Tomura: “Why aren’t you two more upset!?”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAxfWGvSdYOD
Azrael: “Because it doesn’t profit anything. At least, not right now.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAruUq0dCCnC
The oldest of the villainous trio was sitting on the couch watching the sports festival on the TV.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAMXDHS9h2ZR
Kurogiri: “You should save that rage for when you face him.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAYJcHPEFety
Tomura: “That’s what really ticks me off. We could have killed him! And now, thanks to him, those brats think they’re something!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAhUkvDCJtLk
Just then a normal-looking boy entered the room. It was Apotheosis but in civilian clothes. No one would possibly expect such an innocent-looking kid to be one of the most dangerous villains alive right now.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAmeBBlmdsIq
Apotheosis: “What did I miss?”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAohZngZDJ4D
Despite that, the boy knew when to dodge thrown glass.
34Please respect copyright.PENANA5t80wotae6
Apotheosis: “Ohhhh, you’re mad.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAyTCyP8ECBz
Tomura: “Shut it.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAOdRH5h6FZd
Apotheosis: “So, what got Shigi so upset?”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAxZ5dSgDRcb
Azrael: “Your brother called us out and inspired the students with a speech.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAWeh1LCcLLJ
Apotheosis’ eyes twitched a bit when he heard that his family was once again being an annoyance.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAeVNy3J6Zu3
Apotheosis: “I see… I don’t blame him then. I would have blasted the TV.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA5cvowbGEJl
Tomura: “At least someone understands.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA17pAP2f0U4
Azrael sighs while shaking his head at their antics.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAnjSFeWDaju
Apotheosis: “But this is a great opportunity; I’m glad I got here in time.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANARsWTpLIiIV
Tomura: “What do you mean?”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAF7fMhdfO2g
Apotheosis: “Because these heroes have given us a front row seat to see their precious successors.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAZKYSJs2U4j
Tomura: “Their so-called next symbols of peace… ”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAm14oMQQ1j8
Even Azrael seemed to hate that idea. One was enough.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAcEwJ95jcwG
Apotheosis: “Exactly. This is a good chance to see their weaknesses and habits. That way-”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA3WSCexUDAb
Azrael: “When we see them again-”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAc2rdm8vp6f
Tomura: “We’ll slaughter them!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA3RnHuzjvKa
34Please respect copyright.PENANADG7aguzP5L
The roar of the crowd was so loud that Jiro could not dim her hearing enough, even with all her training.
34Please respect copyright.PENANASVPNwlx69z
Momo: “Here.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA238rnQNZYH
Momo handed Jiro some earmuffs. The girl gratefully took it and clapped them onto her ears.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAr1d9cpQdJj
Jiro: “Thanks, Momo.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAEBaQNDmKlE
Momo: “You’re welcome, Kyoka.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAeSg2ELHz3b
Jiro hasn’t seen her best friend in a while. She was too busy with a certain green-haired boy. It sucks, but she understood the reasons. They all needed to train in their own way; hopefully it will pay off.
34Please respect copyright.PENANA7HR0VlyMYb
Jiro: ‘But what kind of training can prepare you for those girls?’
34Please respect copyright.PENANATe0r6T0Pao
She looks at the assembled psychics from Class 1-B and sighs.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAEAvh9r6Arx
Meanwhile, Midnight squealed at the impressive speech.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAvJx4WlK0UF
Midnight: “What a titillating speech! What YOOOOTH!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAQXvllZKtab
Izuku ignored the woman’s worrying gaze and rejoined everyone else on the ground. When he did, his friends came up to congratulate him.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAvD5WMp4IZa
Ida: “Bravoooo! An excellent speech; you’re truly worthy of the vice-president seat!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAmWNKpxYd2M
Kirishima: “Yeah man, I didn’t expect that from you.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAf8a0zbPys6
Denki: “Where were you hiding that confidence?”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAKuSQ6O4fDh
Izuku: “Well, I had some help.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA2MmGA6oVZv
He gave a smile to his precious Kiri, who blushed under his gaze. Momo saw the exchange and couldn’t help but feel some kind of pain in her chest.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAD5cmXMkR1h
Momo: ‘Strange…’
34Please respect copyright.PENANAHy2lQrCZ1H
His friends weren’t the only ones that wanted to say something to the boy.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAXwlgVs7ZMU
Karou: “Nice speech, Midoriya.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAjWZCBdTQwN
Everyone turned to the psychic trio, but they didn’t need to put up their defenses. She held out her hand for a handshake.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAJYKV6I4MDz
Karou: “I expected you to return our war declaration or be a jerk about it. But I’m glad to see I was wrong. You even inspired me! Whatever happens, I’m happy to have had the chance to challenge you, Izuku Midoriya.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA9euGmH1b2c
Izuku smiled and accepted the gesture.
34Please respect copyright.PENANA9f5uRbFVMc
Izuku: “Same.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAfJsWUEIAlj
Izuku: ‘These girls aren’t so bad.’
34Please respect copyright.PENANAzBH49Qo0bl
S: “Does that mean you’ll-”
34Please respect copyright.PENANATdELbkTqXG
Izuku: ‘No!’
34Please respect copyright.PENANAtpO03oq1hJ
Midnight: “All right, with that we can move directly onto our first event! The preliminaries! Lots of fine folks end up choking on their tears here every year! And this year’s first round of destiny is-”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAW4djWcyqMx
On the big projection screen, the event’s name was displayed in big letters.
34Please respect copyright.PENANACXXjKSp1H6
Midnight: “The Obstacle Race! It’s a race between all the classes! The course makes a nearly 4 KM ring around this stadium! We always sing about our freedom on campus, fufufu… well, this is what it’s all about!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAx8sVMBpcKx
Everyone quickly went to the starting area and stretched their limbs.
34Please respect copyright.PENANAnnDLAtVXQW
Midnight: “As for rules, you’re free to do anything so long as you remain within the course and don’t use anything lethal.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAUfZejal8Bu
Karou: “This will be easy!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAXR16PGcWiN
Midnight: “Oh, and I know full well that some of you have the ability to simply go around or even over the obstacles. But let me tell you, I wouldn’t recommend it. You never know what might happen, after all.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA4BkP8lSY3H
Karou: “Darn it!”
34Please respect copyright.PENANA9LBR9X4OtB
Kiri: “Ominous.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAOkov5NpV4I
Izuku: “I guess that would be too easy.”
34Please respect copyright.PENANAxDEXDDBqYr
Izuku: ‘But it might be worth the risk.’
34Please respect copyright.PENANAgHWZ3bkZ3o
Midnight: “Now, racers! Ready, set… START!!”34Please respect copyright.PENANAXkX4c39BZI