Shattering Steel With One Punch

Juzo Honenuki was the reason.

His Quirk, Softening, had turned the ground beneath Yuto's team into a swamp-like trap. He was one of the recommended students in the first year, and his ability was not to be underestimated.

The audience held its breath, palms damp as they watched Yuto's team sink.

Was it already over?

Yuto gave a low snort. "Ochaco, Yaoyorozu, Hatsume, brace yourselves. I'm starting the thrusters."

Mei's support gear was strapped to his back. Yuto pressed the red button.

Flames burst from the jets.

The force launched the team upward.

"Ochaco, now."

"Right! Zero Gravity!"

At Yuto's command, Ochaco activated her Quirk and lightened the team's weight, making it easier for the thrusters to lift them out.

With Mei's support gear and Ochaco's Zero Gravity working together, Yuto's team tore free of the softened ground and rose into the air.

Present Mic's voice jumped with excitement. "Nice! Under that command, the teamwork was perfect. They escaped Juzo Honenuki's Softening attack, and Yuto's team is out of danger for now. What happens next? Let us watch..."

He stopped mid-sentence. Then he swallowed and raised his voice again.

"Unbelievable! Yuto Kanzaki has just escaped the trap, but he is not running away. He is going straight back toward Tetsutetsu's team!"

The audience roared. "That's it, Yuto! Hit them back!"

"Go after them!"

"Don't run. Smash right through!"

In midair, Yuto dove toward Tetsutetsu's team.

Mei's eyes shone. "See? My babies are cute, right? I made these adorable babies myself. Yuto, you are amazing. The entire stadium is watching us now. If we defeat Tetsutetsu's team, we will get even more attention!"

"The mobility is excellent," Yuto said. "It makes up for our lack of aerial movement. Your babies are impressive."

Mei blushed with pride. "Right?"

Ochaco muttered, "My Zero Gravity is impressive too."

There was no more time to relax.

Yuto gave the next order. "Yaoyorozu, focus on defense. I will handle the attack."

Yaoyorozu straightened. "Understood. Attack however you need to, Yuto."

White light wrapped around Yuto's fists.

"Air Shatter."

He drove both fists toward Tetsutetsu. The wind screamed around his blows as quake force fractured everything in front of him.

Tetsutetsu's entire body turned silver. Steel covered him from head to toe as he threw a heavy punch of his own. Their fists collided.

Sparks scattered. A crushing pressure burst outward, and the ground trembled beneath them.

The impact point became the center of a violent shockwave.

The blast threw Tetsutetsu backward.

The ground shook. Dust billowed across the field.

The clash broke Tetsutetsu's steel form.

The Gura Gura no Mi's vibrational force broke through his steel-hardening and forced him back into his normal form.

Ibara Shiozaki reacted quickly. Her Vines stretched out and caught Tetsutetsu before he could hit the ground.

But it was already too late.

Yuto had taken Tetsutetsu's headband.

Present Mic's voice trembled. "Incredible! Tetsutetsu's Steel was shattered by a single punch from Yuto Kanzaki! Was the strongest shield really that fragile against him? Yuto's Quirk is unbelievable!"

The crowd erupted.

"Tetsutetsu was supposed to be one of the strongest shields in the first year!"

"Yuto broke Steel with one punch? What kind of Quirk does he have?"

"No one knows. He has too many techniques to read."

"If he keeps this up, maybe Yuto really can win the Cavalry Battle."

On the field, Yuto did not relax after taking Tetsutetsu's headband.

He smiled. "The match has only just started. Keep going."

Ochaco, Yaoyorozu, and Mei answered together, "Right!"

Tetsutetsu glared after him, veins standing out on his forehead. "Damn it! My Steel skin is supposed to be unbreakable. How did he punch through it?"

Juzo Honenuki analyzed the exchange with a grave expression. "Yuto's Quirk is powerful. I have been studying him since the match began, and I think I understand part of it now. His Quirk likely creates vibrations. Your steel skin was broken by vibrational force. During the minefield, he also used vibrations to trigger the mines through the ground."

Ibara nodded. "The most troublesome student in Class 1-A may not be Todoroki or Bakugo. It may be Yuto Kanzaki. We need to adjust our plan."

As Tetsutetsu's team discussed their next move, Neito Monoma's team passed nearby.

Mockery sharpened Monoma's voice. "How embarrassing, Tetsutetsu. Losing to Yuto already? He only took first in the Obstacle Race through a lucky trick. Leave Class 1-B's dignity to me. I will crush Class 1-A completely and show the world that Class 1-B is the strongest."

With that, Monoma led his team forward.

The field transformed into a true melee.

Teams fought wildly for points, and Yuto remained the central target.

As time passed, the rankings kept shifting.

Then Present Mic suddenly shouted, "Unbelievable! Class 1-A came in with a reputation as the strongest group of first-years, but right now, three Class 1-A teams have dropped to zero points! Mashirao Ojiro's team, Toru Hagakure's team, and Mineta's team are all at zero. Class 1-A is being taken apart!"

Yuto looked up in surprise.

In such a short time, only his team, Bakugo's team, and Todoroki's team still held points.

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