First Place

A deep voice came from the screen.

"Last time, you lost the Nomu, and your subordinates were wiped out. Those children are strong, especially Yuto Kanzaki. The Symbol of Peace is not what he once was, but we still can't be too confident."

The voice remained calm.

"Tomura Shigaraki, you must keep learning. Keep improving."

Shigaraki clawed at his neck, face twisted. "Sensei, if Yuto had not appeared last time, we would have succeeded. Please give me one more chance. This time, I won't waste it."

"Regret changes nothing. Our failure wasn't meaningless. Gather better pieces. Take your time. However, we can still give them a painful blow first."

"What do you mean, Sensei?"

"I will give you three incomplete Nomu. Their target won't be All Might. Their target will be the Sports Festival champion."

The voice deepened. "Tomura Shigaraki, this time, show the world your terror."

Shigaraki's eyes lit up. "Yes, Sensei."

Elsewhere, Endeavor's anger burned openly.

During the Cavalry Battle, Shoto Todoroki's performance had been far less impressive than Yuto's. The boy's strength had even made Endeavor uneasy.

All Might approached with his usual wide smile. "Endeavor! Young Todoroki performed excellently while using less than half of his power. You must have trained him very well."

"What are you trying to say?"

"Don't misunderstand me. I only wanted to ask how you train the next generation."

Endeavor's eyes sharpened. "Do you think I would tell you? I will raise that boy into a hero who surpasses you. That's why I created him. He may be in a pointless rebellious phase now, but he will surpass you."

All Might's expression softened. "Perhaps his target is no longer me. Perhaps it is Yuto."

"Yuto?" Endeavor's eyes flared. "Don't make me laugh. He is just a brat. If Shoto uses his full strength, he will defeat that brat in the finals. Then I will force him to surpass you. Remember that."

All Might fell silent. Was that truly how things would go?

His body was no longer what it used to be. Perhaps Yuto was the better goal for Todoroki now. Maybe Young Todoroki had already sensed that.

Principal Nezu drank his coffee with a calm smile. "Yuto has excellent potential. We can continue evaluating him in the upcoming matches. Perhaps one day, he can stand where you stood as a symbol for others."

His eyes narrowed with interest.

"What I value even more is his character."

All Might nodded. "Young Kanzaki has the kind of charisma that could bring other Pro Heroes together in a crisis. That matters."

"Exactly. You discovered quite an extraordinary future hero this time, All Might."

Below the stage, the competitors gathered and waited for the results.

The audience cheered for them without holding back. It was the greatest encouragement Class 1-A could have received.

The Class 1-A students were excited too.

Present Mic raised his voice. "The Cavalry Battle has ended! Let's see the rankings." The screen flashed.

"First place, without a doubt, Yuto Kanzaki's team!"

"Second place, Todoroki's team."

"Third place, Bakugo's team."

"These three teams have secured their spots in the final round! The remaining individual spots will be announced after the judges review the Cavalry Battle results."

The stadium erupted.

"First place again! Yuto, you did it. You have a new fan!"

"He's too cool!"

"Keep going, Yuto! We will be watching you."

"You kept your promise. Now take first place again."

In the audience's eyes, he had fulfilled his declaration once more. That was exciting. It was inspiring.

"Yuto! Yuto! Yuto!"

The cheers would not stop.

Ochaco smiled softly. "Honestly, I know I don't deserve this ranking. You were just too strong, Yuu-kun."

"You did well, Ochaco," Yuto said. "In the final round, fight even harder."

Her cheeks flushed at his praise. "I will, Yuu-kun."

Kirishima clenched his fists. "Yuto, I made it to the final round too. Let's have a manly fight. I've been waiting for this chance."

Tokoyami spoke with solemn intensity. "The feast of darkness approaches. Yuto, we will eventually cross blades."

Iida chopped the air with his hand. "Yuto, I advanced too. This time, I won't lose. I'll prepare an even stronger secret move."

Mineta wailed nearby. "Damn it. Yuto is too popular. I'm jealous. I wanted to advance too. I wanted to be that cool and that popular with girls."

Yuto smiled faintly. "Do your best, everyone. If you lose to me in the arena, don't blame me."

The others nodded, eyes burning. "Of course. We hope you use your full strength against us."

"I will."

Farther away, Bakugo snorted, his gaze fixed on him. Todoroki did the same.

Neither of them spoke. Izuku Midoriya, however, looked dejected. He muttered to himself nonstop.

"I lost. I didn't make it to the next round. I let All Might down. I let Yuto down. I wanted to fight him too."

Without Yuto, Midoriya would have been expelled during the Quirk Apprehension Test. Thinking about that made guilt twist in his chest.

Yuto suddenly asked, "Midoriya, do you want to enter the next round?"

Midoriya froze, then nodded quickly. "Of course, Yuto. I want to follow in your footsteps. I want to challenge you too. I want to become stronger."

Yuto smiled. "Then you still have a chance." Midoriya's eyes widened.

He still had a chance?

Midoriya grabbed Yuto and burst into tears with almost childlike relief.

"Really? Yuto?"

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